VOLUME 14 ISSUE 10

VOLUME 14 - NO. 10

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

Website: www.suntci.com

Email: sun@suntci.com

Tel: (649) 348-6838

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POWER BILLS MAY INCREASE

By Todeline Defralien

T

he cost of electricity in the Turks and Caicos Islands may increase, following ongoing regulatory reform negotiations between Fortis TCI and Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG).

In an exclusive interview with The SUN, Talisha Simons, Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Fortis TCI, confirmed the negotiations, but she did NOT confirm that there will actually be an increase in electricity bills.

However, given the fact that Fortis spent approximately $30 to 35 million to restore electricity services across Turks and Caicos Islands after hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, analysts said it is highly likely that the company will be pushing for an increase during the negotiations.

Simons explained: “The parallel aims of the discussions are (1) to mitigate the cost of restoring the electricity system and enable the company to return to financial health over time and (2) facilitate the transition to greater Renewable Energy usage in the Turks and Caicos Islands. These discussions are at an early stage,” she said. “It is the belief of FortisTCI that the vast majority of Turks and Caicos Islanders, residents, and businesses, appreciate the work of the company to restore power quickly, ensuring that the economy remains strong and attractive to investors. We have seen the return of tourists in record numbers this year, and the groundbreaking of the Ritz-Carlton hotel.”

Continued on page 2

These photographs show proof of empty Immigration booths and guest lines which stretched from the Immigration booths to the ramp at Providenciales International Airport.

Airport delays will be fixed, says Premier and Deputy

By Todeline Defralien

P

remier Hon. Sharlene CartwrightRobinson and Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control and Employment, Hon. Sean Astwood have pledged to fix the problems that caused severe delays at the Providenciales International Airport last weekend.

The delays stemmed from new immigration rostering issues.

During a press conference at the Premier’s Office on Thursday, March 8th, the Premier said what is happening at the airport is “nothing short of embarrassing and unacceptable”.

She stated: “This Government

is not pleased and what is happening at the airport is nothing short of embarrassing and unacceptable. At the end of the day, if I could have gone down and stamp passports, I would do that, but legally I am not able to.

We are now in a position where guests are uncomfortable on entering our country. That’s their first impression of the Turks and Caicos. We see the negative reports, and that is not what we need at this time. We worked hard for this country when we went into our slogan and when we went into our full campaign of open for business... certainly not long lines. We felt that there was nothing in our minds that say’s the system; self inflicted would

Hon. Premier Sharlene CartwrightRobinson

Deputy Premier Hon. Sean Astwood

be a challenge to what we see is a strong season bouncing back.”

The Premier stated that she wants the people of this country to know that her Government asked

those who do have the authority to manage the Public Service to advise them as to what is going on and fix the problem.

Continued on page 2

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

POWER BILLS MAY INCREASE

continued from page 1

Simons noted that the company wrote to the Government in December 2017 requesting the resumption of the Regulatory Reform negotiations that had started in early 2016 with the appointment then of the Regulatory Assistant Program (RAP) as Government’s consultants.

“At that time, RAP held several public meetings across the Turks and Caicos Islands. The need for Regulatory Reform became acute after the 2017 hurricanes, given the cost to restore the electricity system across the TCI,” she told The SUN.

She said FortisTCI is a long term strategic partner with the Turks and Caicos Islands, noting that the company’s record speaks for itself: the development of a world class electricity system; investment in excess of $200 million in infrastructure over the past ten years; millions invested to

Electricity bills are made up of two parts. The base rate and the

fuel factor, (or power cost adjustment).

The base rate is a regulated cost and is outlined in the TCIG Electricity Ordinance, Section 32. It covers the company’s operational costs.

The fuel factor (or power cost adjustment) is the recoverable cost of fuel used to generate electricity by way of diesel.

Fortis TCI’s fuel factor, which is a key component of electricity bills, is based on the price of fuel at the time it is purchased from Sun Oil Ltd. and is subject to fluctuating world market prices.

The fuel factor rate (or power cost adjustment) is calculated in accordance with the Electricity Ordinance and is a mechanism used to recover the cost of fuel used to produce the electricity consumed by each customer.

The calculation is done on a monthly basis based on the fuel consumed for the specific period and

determined by the actual price of fuel at the time it is purchased. The fuel factor rate is approved monthly by the Electricity Commissioner. The fuel factor fluctuates with world market prices and allows for both reductions and increases to the consumer.

Diesel is used to generate electricity in the Turks and Caicos Islands as it is throughout most of the Caribbean. Without fuel there would be no electricity.

The fuel factor is directly linked to the rise and fall of fuel prices in the world market.

If the price of fuel rises, it is reflected in the monthly fuel factor calculation. If the price of fuel decreases, it is also reflected in the monthly fuel factor calculation.

Calculations are done based on the cost of fuel at the time it is purchased from fuel supplier and a lag of approximately two months in both increases and decreases are likely as the result of the

supply chain to the TCI.

The average price per gallon of fuel consumed for a specific month is reduced by $0.90 per gallon (base cost per electricity ordinance and shall be borne by the company.)

Any cost above $0.90 is considered recoverable at a rate specified by the electricity ordinance (Part V, section 32). Therefore, the first $0.90 per gallon is absorbed by the FortisTCI. Only the cost above $0.90 is recovered from the customer.

FortisTCI Limited (FTCI) is the sole provider of electricity on Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, East Caicos and adjacent Cays. In August 2012, Turks and Caicos Utility Limited (TCU), which is the sole provider of electricity on the Islands of Grand Turk and Salt Cay, was acquired by FTCI. Together the two companies serve almost 15,000 electricity customers in the Turks & Caicos Islands archipelago.

Airport delays will be fixed, says Premier and Deputy continued from page 1

“It must be fixed,” she stressed, “and for those who continue to blame the Government for the long lines, until they begin to hold people accountable for where they are, we are going to always have this sort of situation going on. People who are responsible directly must be held accountable.”

In addition, the Premier also said that persons who do know how Government functions will still try to manipulate the situation as if the The long lines at the airport over the weekend elected Government is failing.

“There are persons who don’t Government. We do not, unfortunately, for the airport staff was well over understand that and out of ignorance manage the Public Service and you anything that could be sustained by sometimes just echo that,” the Premier will begin to see that we’ve done Government and it needed changes continued.

“Elected Government constitutional talks amongst ourselves to be made in order to minimize the directs policy. We are elected to direct and these are some of the things that amount of over time that we were the country. The Public Service is we are going to be looking at, because experiencing from the department. led by the Deputy Governor (Her we have no responsibility (or) powers What happened, was that due to Excellency Anya Williams). That over the Public Service at all, but we staffing issues at the airport in terms power is delegated from the Governor direct policy and we direct the general of how the system was designed as of the Turks and Caicos Islands (His direction,” she explained. we discovered this morning, was Excellency Dr. John Freeman). We Meantime, Hon. Sean Astwood not adequate to meet the demand at have absolutely no authority outside on Thursday March 8th attended a the airport. We have now addressed of Cabinet to set up a shift system or meeting with the Immigration staff that in a number of the ways moving to say what number of persons should at the airport, including the Deputy forward and we expect that what have be at the airport or not. Ministers don’t Governor, the P. S for the Ministry happened on Saturday, Sunday and want to be in the day to day running. and all senior management from also the reports that we have gotten We’re not allowed to be, but people the ministry to address this very this week so far, that we shouldn’t see want their Ministers at policy level.” disturbing issue. a repeat of that today.”

She added: “I don’t think Commenting on the meeting, In the event of additional anybody would seriously expect that Hon. Astwood added: “We collectively flights coming in, the Deputy Premier the Deputy Premier, Minister of addressed the issues that we’re facing stated that they will call in additional Border Control would be asking how at the airport, but also we were able officers to make sure the airport many Immigration Officers are on to have full discussions with the staff is properly staffed. They will also today. That is a management issue. on their concerns and what led to instruct management, supervisors, Something has transpired. We are the situation over the weekend. Let directors and the Immigration at the hearing about a shift system and we me apologize to public and traveling airport to make sure that they have are receiving a report as to what is public about the situation at the a full complement of staff for the shifting and what is changing and airport as it relates to the service weekend and also additional staff to what the man power allocations are provided by Immigration Department. be readily available in case they have like, but we do know in this week that We continue to work diligently to further issues of no-shows. we have spring breakers. We have make sure that we provide the public “I will say that the no shows perhaps unusual numbers, but we with unparallel level of service. Over stemmed from persons who felt like also have the benefit of knowing the the past year we have made numerous they didn’t support the new shift numbers that are coming in.” improvements in the efficiency of our system,” Astwood said.”We’ve now Robinson also noted that in fixing service out there and also making sure gotten to a point where we’ve properly this issue they are going to take the that we deliver our high level customer explained the need for the system and initiative to visit with these guests and care to our visitors and our residents also working with them on how we let them know that this is certainly alike.” could make it better and make it work not the welcome “beautiful by nature” He also said that what for everyone. I think that we’ve got offers. happened over the weekend was a buy-in from the staff generally on the

“As Premier of this country direct result of the implementation of issues of overtime. They now are fully and as leader of the Government, a new shift system that is needed. abreast on how that issue is going to people continue to hold into account He added: “The shift system is be addressed moving forward and I and that you should hold into account born out of the audit report that was can say from the meeting, that we had and the truth is we run elected done, where the over time amounts a commitment from the staff to fully

cooperate and that they understand the importance of their role in not only just protecting our borders, but to make sure that they know the importance of the guests coming into this country and their role in the tourism industry which is our main industry. This is not something that we can trifle with,” he explained.

In the meantime Astwood added that while they support any staff needs to represent themselves they’ve also cautioned them on the implications that such actions can take on the industry.

“I am happy to say that walking away from that meeting I feel confident that we should not see a repeat of what happened during this past weekend and we’ve gotten commitment from everyone to do what is necessary and moving forward management will be keeping a close eye on the operations as the airport to insure that what has happened this past weekend doesn’t happen again.

With an airport that has over 20 flights landing on Saturdays, Astwood noted that they will pull officers from the office and other areas or even necessarily the other islands to make sure that we have a full compliment at the airport.

“We are committed to moving forward with the shift system, however there is still work to be done in that regards as well. I just want to apologize to the public on what has happened so far and it is an effort to make sure that we continue to run Government efficiently but also to make sure that we deliver high level of service for the travelling public,” he concluded.

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 3

Page 4

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 5

LOCAL NEWS

$27million per year for statutory board salaries in TCI * Complaints Commission, $178,000 for four employees.

by Hayden Boyce Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

The salaries of statutory boards in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) are around $27million per year, with the Airports Authority ($10 million annually) and Financial Services Commission, in a distant second ($3.5million per year), topping the list.

This was revealed in a Consolidated Statutory Body Review Report prepared by former Chief Financial Officer, Stephen Turnbull, which also stated that two salaries that were “notable in their extreme” were the CEO of the TCI Airports Authority (John Smith) at $169,000 per year ($14,000 per month) and TCI Telecommunications Commission (Kenva Williams) at $159,000 per year ($13,250 per month) excluding allowances respectively.

Furthermore, the report which was issued on January 24th, 2018, noted that the salary of the CFO at the Airports Authority (Kenneth Abrams) was almost $30,000 per annum higher than the next highest paid CFO/Financial Controller.

After the Airports Authority which has 340 employees and the FSC, the statutory board with 88 workers, the third highest salary was recorded by the National Insurance Board (NIB) at $2.6 million per year for 55 employees.

THE OTHERS WERE: * Turks and Caicos Islands Community College with $2.3million for 63 employees; * Ports Authority, $2million for 57 employees; * National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP), $1.9 million for 43 employees; * Tourist Board, $1.1million for 26 employees; * Civil Aviation, $932, 000 for 19 employees; * Integrity Commission, $809, 000 for 13 employees; * Invest TCI, $737,000 for 11 employees; * Telecommunications Commission, $638,000 for eight employees; * National Trust, $351,000 for 20 employees; * Human Rights Commission, $241,000 for five employees,

CRIME UPDATE

ARRESTS

A Police Constable was arrested on Thursday 1st March 2018, on suspicion of a serious sexual assault and has since been placed on USD$5000 bail. The Officer is currently on administrative leave.

On Tuesday, February 27th, 2018, Police on Providenciales arrested

There are 755 employees among statutory boards and, 2,147 working for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) for a combined salary of $70 million per year.

Turnbull noted that average salaries for the statutory bodies are approximately $4.3k higher than that of the TCIG, adding that if this variance was applied to the total number of staff it shows that the average staff cost of statutory bodies is $3.2m higher than it would had these functions operated in a similar manner TCIG.

The average salary for statutory bodies at $36.7k per annum is suppressed by cost containment measures at the TCIAA which represents almost half of the statutory body staff employed, he stated.

The Telecommunications Commission has the highest average salaries across the entire government at $79.7k per annum followed by Invest TC at $67k per annum, then Civil Aviation at $49k per year, NIB at 4$8.3k per year and the Human Rights Commission at $48.2k per year, rounding up the top five averages.

The National Trust at an average salary of $17.5k per annum is the lowest although this is suppressed as a result of a large proportion of casual and part time employees.

“Overall both salaries and the processes for determining salary levels are not defensible across the statutory bodies and an exercise independent of the bodies themselves needs to be completed to determine if these are adequate,” the report said.

“There are major variances both in terms of amounts and payment frequencies between the stipends received by board members. The most common was $1,500 and $1,000 per month for the Chair and members. These payments are made irrespective of whether the board meets.”

The Turnbull report stated that CEO/ Managing Director (MD) salaries tend to be approved by the Minister responsible for the body although there are circumstances where the board is charged with this responsibility. Some ordinances

a 20-year-old man on suspicion of Burglary of the International Primary School in Leeward Gates. The man is currently in Police Custody.

BURGLARIES

Police on Providenciales are investigating a burglary that took place on Wednesday, February 28th, 2018, at a home in The Bight. According to the police report, a number of electronic items are said to be missing.

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did not contain any clauses relating to setting terms and conditions.

“This approach has led to an inconsistent adoption of salaries, terms and conditions being set for the statutory body leadership. As this tends to be used as the threshold for which all other salaries are set if the CEO/MD salary is incorrectly configured it is probable that so is the entire organisation,”” he continued.

“Other issues impact the overall emoluments at statutory bodies, for example some staff are paid housing allowances despite being ordinarily resident in the island of their employment or have excessive vehicle allowances that would allow them to purchase a new vehicle every couple of years.

The Telecommunications Commission has factored inflationary pay awards into their contracts of employment which is not consistent with any other statutory body.”

Turnbull said it is evident that the process for salary setting of the most senior official needs a structured and consistent approach to be developed.

He suggested that this is undertaken by a Board or Commission that is developed who is responsible for not only the recruitment but also recommending terms and conditions.

“The majority of the salary levels in place across the bodies were derived historically from when the functions were originally part of TCIG. Over time various unstructured increases had been made of which only some were consistent with government pay awards,” he added.

The 24-page report stated that a few Statutory Bodies have undertaken job evaluation exercises albeit to varying degrees of success and implementation.

It was noted that there was also evidence that when evaluation exercises were undertaken that statutory bodies were comparing themselves against what can be considered to be non-comparable countries for example, Cayman Islands, Bermuda or British Virgin Islands or self-financing statutory bodies, usually those with higher salaries. This has created a culture for many of the bodies of ever increasing rates being applied.

iPhone 5 valued USD$450, one white this matter. and silver Samsung Galaxy J7 valued Anyone with information that can USD$200, one Black Samsung Galaxy assist in the detection of any crime is cellular phone valued USD$100 and asked to come forward, or contact the one Samsung Galaxy Tablet valued Chalk Sound Police Station at 338USD$350.

5901, 941-8082 or call Crime Stoppers

Police are also investigating anonymously at 1-800-8477. a burglary that took place at the TCI Middle School. The incident was ARRESTS AND CHARGES reported on March 1st, 2018. Missing On Wednesday March 7th, at 10:00 were a translucent storage bin with a.m., Grand Turk Police arrested a grey lid value unknown, 12 ten- and charged a 30-year-old male for inch Grey Acer Aspire Cloud laptops, the offence of Violent Language, valued USD$200 each and 12 eleven- attempted Bribery, and for the inch White HP XP360 laptops valued offence of Perverting the Course of USD$270 each.

Justice in relation to a report made

Grand Turk Police are on Monday, February 5th, 2018. The investigating a Burglary that man is currently on bail in the sum of occurred on March 1st, 2018, USD$3000. following a report of a building at a construction site broken into. Upon BURGLARY arriving at the work site, the building Grand Turk Police are investigating owner discovered the front wooden a Burglary that took place at home door lock broken off. Missing were 12 on East Back Salina on Wednesday sheets of sheetrock, valued USD$360 March 7th, 2018, around 4:00 p.m. and 8 pieces of metal strap.

Missing were leaving two brand new flat screen televisions, one white Ikea ARSON ATTEMPT cabinet set, two white Microwaves

Providenciales Police are and a Silver circuit set. investigating an attempt to set fire

The Royal Turks and Caicos to a dwelling, with persons inside. Islands Police Force continue to The incident was reported to 911 at appeal to the general public who may 4:32 a.m., on March 1st, 2018. The have any information that can assist complainant reported to police that in the detection of any crime to come someone threw a gas tank through forward, or contact the Chalk Sound her apartment window on the Police Station at 338-5901, 941-8082 Leeward Highway. The apartment or call Crime Stoppers anonymously was occupied by a woman and at 1-800-8477. children. Investigation continues into

Page 6

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

New $1.15 million post office being built in Providenciales

By Todeline Defralien

The Turks and Caicos Islands can finally look forward to a properly built and equipped Post Office for Providenciales which will cost $1.15 million dollars to complete.

The Ministry of Home Affairs Transportation and Communication recently announced the demolition of the old Post Office on Airport Road in Providenciales, in preparation for the to start construction.

In a release issued to media houses on Thursday March 8th, it stated that this new facility costing $1.15 million dollars is expected to

be completed by March 2019. Among other things, it will provide brand new staff accommodation, an increase in the number of mail boxes and immensely improved parking and customer service areas.

Minister with responsibility for Postal Services, Hon. Vaden Delroy Williams commenting on the start of the project said: “Even though technology has revolutionized communication, the role and importance of postal services to communities have not reduced.

Every week the Post Office receives a considerable about of mail from all over the globe as well as from origins here at home. In this regard, it continues

The old Post Office on Airport Road

to support commerce, friendships and family relations despite the many challenges faced by staff over the years.

I am therefore very pleased that this project has begun and I look forward to the block laying ceremony in the not too distant future.”

The SUN understands that JaMalCo Limited, owned by local architect and engineer Jamaine Malcolm, is the contractor for this project.

In the past, the age-old Providenciales Post Office building literally caved in on staff, who The SUN understands were afraid to venture to certain areas of the structure for fear

of not only it collapsing on them, but also to avoid confrontation with rats, wasps, roaches and other critters.

The building, this newspaper understands, was over 40 years old, having been the first hospital on Providenciales. It was also understood that the inside of the post office building was overrun by huge rats, termites, roaches and lizards.

The Post Office is presently located at the Town Centre Mall, Butterfield Square, Providenciales and provides service to the general public Monday to Thursday during the hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and on Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

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NOTICE

Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 2014 An Application, SC.768, by SAILROCK ESTATES for RESORT DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING OVERWATER VILLAS has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Development Permission on 20201/4 & 5; 20102/6, 7 & 8, NORTHERN CAYS on SOUTH CAICOS. Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, Downtown, Grand Turk or through the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, within twenty eight (28) days of publication of this Notice.

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 7

LOCAL NEWS

Serious concerns about DPP Jillian Williams’ health

by Hayden Boyce Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Serious concerns are being raised in Government and legal circles about the health and well-being of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Jillian Williams, The SUN can reveal.

Investigations by this newspaper disclosed that within a few months of assuming office in November 2016, Williams suffered a massive stroke at her residence and was unattended for several hours.

After she was discovered, Williams was airlifted to Nassau, The Bahamas, where she spent around six months in very serious condition and undergoing medical treatment.

During that time the DPP continued to receive her full salary of $14,000 per month from TCIG which also paid for her medical care in The Bahamas.

Since she returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands, Williams has been undergoing further and regular medical treatment, but

observers said her recovery has been remarkably slow and her behavior has been described by many as erratic, impulsive and incoherent at times.

“She’s definitely not the same since she had the stroke,” according to an official who requested anonymity because of the highly sensitive nature of the situation. “It doesn’t take long to realise that all is not well with her, and many people have been asking if she will ever fully recover from that unfortunate incident. It’s very sad, but equally serious.”

Legal sources have confirmed that while in court, the DPP exhibits what appears to be memory lapses and there are times when she seems to be in a daze.

This journalist has been in court during the rape trial of former Labour Tribunal president Arthur Forbes in which Williams, the sole prosecutor, exhibited very awkward behavior in the presence of the jury. It is obvious that she is struggling.

On several occasions she had to be given what could be regarded as

refresher courses in basic points of law

by Madame Justice Joan Joyner.

On Tuesday, March 6th, when the issue of lunch adjournment arose, Judge Joyner told Williams that the time for jurors’ lunch is between 12 noon and 2 p.m. is “entrenched”. She then asked the DPP what time she would like to call the next witness. A few seconds later, the DPP suggested 1 p.m. and Judge Joyner had to remind her that that will be within lunch time, so that would not be possible.

Apart from that bizarre courtroom incident (others have been circulating in legal circles), The SUN understands that DPP Williams was recently driving a Government-issued white Kia SUV, licence number 1071, when it was involved in an accident that resulted in the left front bumper being damaged. The DPP allegedly had no recollection of the accident.

Williams qualified as a lawyer in 1993 and has experience in both private and public practice including in Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas.

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The DPP role was advertised locally and regionally before she was hired. Six candidates were shortlisted for interview on 27 September by a panel which included the Attorney General, Mrs Rhondalee BraithwaiteKnowles, the Chair of both the TCI Judicial Services Commission and the Integrity Commission, Sir David Simmons, and the Director of Human Resources, Mr Mark Greenway.

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This is a public service announcement from Provo Water Company: Bills for the 28thFebruary, 2018 are now available. Please pay this bill by Friday 16thMarch 2018 to avoid disruption to your service.

Paying Your Bill •Bills can be paid directly at Provo Water Company Office in Grace Bay 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday.

•Bills paid by online banking must be paid not later than 3 days before the due date.

•Bills paid at Grace-way Supermarkets must be paid not later than 24 hours before the due date.

In the unfortunate event you are disconnected for delinquency: •The full amount plus the required reconnection fee must be settled before the service resumes.

•Service will resume the same day for accounts paid up before 12 Noon •Service will resume the following morning for accounts paid up after 12 Noon. Reconnections will not take place after hours.

Also, please note that our office will be closing at 2pm daily, commencing tomorrow March 6th, 2018 for the remainder of March (until further notice) while we prepare for the final migration to our new system.

Contact Customer Service Department on 946-5202.

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Page 8

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

Statement from March 7th Cabinet meeting

His Excellency the Governor, Dr John Freeman, chaired the 6th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday, 7 March 2018, at the Hon. N J S Francis Building on Grand Turk.

All Ministers were present.

At this meeting Cabinet: • Advised His Excellency the Governor to grant a licence for a term of 50 years to Digicel (Turks and Caicos) Limited to install underground telecommunications fibre optic network cables along specified blocks of Crown Land in Providenciales and Grand Turk to enable the company to repair and improve its telecommunications infrastructure in TCI following damage caused by September’s hurricanes;

•Discussed and proposed amendments to the draft National Investment Policy 2018 which would be revised accordingly and returned to Cabinet for approval;

• Advised His Excellency the Governor, as a result of particular circumstances, to grant a waiver of warehouse storage fees due to Blue Loos Ltd in accordance with Regulation 4 of the Customs (Government Transit Shed and Queen’s Warehouse Rent) (Amendment) Regulations 2016;

•Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the Turks and Caicos Islands Employment (Amendment) Bill 2018 for forwarding to the House of Assembly for approval;

•Advised His Excellency the

Governor to approve a request by FLOW for an extension until 31 March 2018 of the exemption from the requirements of Section 12(1) of the Immigration Ordinance to permit the entry of teams into TCI to assist with ongoing restoration work on the company’s inter-island microwave link between Grand Turk and Providenciales;

•Approved the appointments of members to the following bodies with effect from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019 – Prisoner Categorisation Board; Parole Board; Adoption Committee; Telecommunications Commission;

•Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the reappointment of the following members to the TCI Tourist Board with effect from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019: Mr Norman Hamilton, Chairman Kendra Parker, Deputy Chair Kimberly Cox, Member Tendra Musgrove, Member Gordon Lightbourne, Member Patricia Eke, Member Permanent Secretary, Ministry Tourism – Ex Officio

of

• Noted recommendations for the grant of National Academic Awards to the best performing students in TCI who are eligible to receive the awards;

•Noted the support and donations of the Sandals Foundation in partnership with the American Friends of Jamaica as well as the Turks and Caicos Hotels and Tourist Association (TCHTA) and Island Destinations

Travel Group and Foundation and the Tuscany and Venetian Group for renovations and supply of equipment for schools in TCI following damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Cabinet agreed that all Ministries should be required to maintain a register of donations;

• Received an up-date by Her Excellency the Deputy Governor on progress against TCIG’s Annual Recruitment Plan for FY 2017/18;

• His Excellency the Governor requested all Ministers to forward as soon as possible nominations for appointments to the various boards for which they are responsible;

•His Excellency the Governor reported that he and the Hon. Premier had agreed a process for monitoring and implementation of the recommendations in the recently published Statutory Body Review report;

•Discussed the situation on Salt Cay which had suffered infrastructure damage as a result of recent bad weather and received an update on plans to address the damage and proposed measures to mitigate against future storms;

•Discussed the problem of immigration staff shortages at Providenciales Airport to deal with incoming international flights.

Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.

Turks and Caicos Sun Suite#5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 339-5879 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com Read us online at www.suntci.com Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Graphic designer Information Technology and Production Manager: Kelano Howell Todeline Defralien Reporter

The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary of The SUN Media Group Ltd. We are committed to excellence in journalism, educating and informing our readers, serving and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

ENDS

THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS NATIONAL INSURNACE BOARD EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY A vacancy exists at the Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance Board for an Assistant Accountant at its Head Office in Grand Turk. Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced Turks and Caicos Islanders to fill the post.

ROLE AND CORE FUNCTIONS OF JOB ■ Assistance and supervision of the procurement procedure in the organization ■ Participates on the selection of suppliers based on specific criteria ■ Ensures that all purchases comply with internal purchasing policy, Procurement and Public Financial Management Ordinances.

■ Reviews and evaluate suppliers on a quarterly basis ■ Prepare Customs clearing documents and letters.

■ Ensure that all orders for goods and services are properly processed and sent out.

■ Verification of quantities ordered from suppliers ■ Verification that order is within the required Budget ■ Arranging tender Board meetings and dispatching relevant documents.

■ Sourcing of all tender specification both technical and non-technical for the preparation of tender document.

■ Preparation of tender document for review by internal purchasing committee before publication ■ Providing information to legal counsel for the preparation of contract document for tenders to successful candidates ■ Preparing letters for signature and dispatch advising suppliers and service providers of the awards of tenders ■ Keeping a register of all Contracts ■ Keeping a Register of all quotes received ■ Keeping Register of Suppliers ■ Keeping a Register of all tenders ■ Keeping minutes of all tender board meetings.

■ Assistance with Preparation of Monthly Financial Statements as directed by the Financial Controller.

■ Reconciliation of Balance Sheet and income statement account schedules with the General Ledger as directed by the Financial Controller.

■ Monthly reconciliation of North Caicos Cash and cheque Deposits ■ Monthly reconciliation of Debit/Credit card Contributions collected ■ Monthly reconciliation of credit card fees ■ Assistance with the preparation of annual budgets.

■ Review of Fixed Assists Register and assisting with assets

management.

■ Assisting with the development and implementation of procurement procedures to ensure to ensure that the NIB receives the products and services at the best value.

■ Prepare minutes of the Investment committee meetings.

■ Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be determined by the Financial Controller from time to time.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIRMENTS This position requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or equivalent professional qualification and four (4) years post qualification practicing experience.

Knowledge and skills must also include the following: •Project management skills •Highly developed communications skills •Financial reporting skills •Computer and Information technology application for financial data management, analysis and reporting •Investigative skills •Human and financial resource management skills and team building skills This position requires the frequent use of analytical reasoning and visual dexterity especially when incumbent is: •Assisting with the development of financial procedures and ensure that quality products and services are procured at the best value for the organization.

•Monthly reviewing and reconciliation of Fixed Asset register and assisting with asset management •Assisting with the preparation of the budget.

•Preparation and analysis of invitations to tender and request for proposals Salary will be in the Salary Grade 5 - $40,001 to 55,000, and will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

Applications giving full details of qualifications and experience should be sent to the Deputy Director Corporate Services, National Insurance Board, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands to reach no later than Friday, March 9th, 2018.

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 9

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Page 10

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

Commissioner of Police James Smith given one year extension

By Allie Capron

Governor Hon. Dr. John Freeman has extended the period in office of the Commissioner of Police, James Smith, to the end of 2018.

The extension was confirmed by an official from the Governor’s office.

Smith was sworn in March 2015 for two years.

Up to the time of writing this report, Smith did not respond to a request for comment through police press officer Takara Bain.

Smith, a Scottish veteran, has served in the position of Commissioner for three years. Before taking on this role in Turks and Caicos, he held the Cayman Islands police commissioner’s job during

an interim period in late 2008 and early 2009.

Prior to his Cayman Islands appointment, Commissioner Smith served as a commander in London’s Metropolitan Police. He was also a part of the Scottish Police Force.

In a detailed message sent out to the TCI population shortly after his appointment, Smith promised that he will make a difference in the country by building trust with local communities and using his expertise to boost the skill sets of our officers in order to keep our country safe.

Smith wrote: “I have engaged in a comprehensive review of the Force structure and following receipt of detailed feedback, begun the process of change. To

date that has involved increased training to detectives, scenes of crime, intelligence officers, marine branch and some general duties. I have created a new command named Specialist Operations which consists of Air, Marine and Tactical teams.

There has been a significant increase in numbers of trained firearms officers and Senior Officers trained to command serious incidents. A number of staff have already been moved to front line posts and we will shortly move more officers to Providenciales to strengthen our uniform response teams.”

Former TCI Commissioner of Police Colin Farquhar held the post for four years before returning to his home country of Canada at the end of his TCI Commissioner of Police, contract.

James Smith

Premier and Minister honor FortisTCI’s Lady Engineers on International Women’s Day

TeAndra Thomas, Junior Energy Production Engineer and Caltricia Hamilton-Evans, T&D Engineering Assistant at FortisTCI, received a pleasant surprise on Thursday, March 8 when Hon. Premier Sharlene CartwrightRobinson and Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, Hon. Goldray Ewing visited the company and made a special presentation to them for being trailblazers and excelling in career paths considered unconventional for women.

The Premier and Minister recognized the women in observance of International Women’s Day. TeAndra began her career as an intern at FortisTCI and received a

L-R: Caltricia Hamilton-Evans, Hon. Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, TeAndra Thomas and Hon. Goldray Ewing scholarship from the company in 2009. company has awarded.

She earned a Bachelor of Engineering Caltricia earned a Bachelor (B.Eng.) from Memorial University of of Science degree in Civil Engineering Newfoundland in 2015, and returned from Alabama A & M University in to the company to pursue a long-term Huntsville, Alabama, USA in 2015. career. She is one of three engineering FortisTCI President and CEO Eddinton Powell stated, “On this scholarship recipients that the

International Woman’s Day, FortisTCI is proud of the contribution of women at every level of the Company. We have worked hard at achieving gender diversity and creating a working environment where talent is the only qualification. We are particularly proud of TeAndra and Caltricia for choosing careers in nontraditional areas. They are examples for all young people in the Turks and Caicos Islands, particularly young women.”

TeAndra and Caltricia are currently the only women engineers on staff at FortisTCI, but the Company continues to work at increasing the number of women in technical positions through training and scholarships.

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 11

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Page 12

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

Amanyara Resort holds career fair in Providenciales

By Todeline Defralien

The Human Resources team at Amanyara Resort hosted a job fair aimed at recruiting the best candidates to fit the right positions at the hotel.

The job fair which took place on Wednesday March 7th, 2018 at the former Sammy Been Building, Airport Road, which is now owned by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and houses the Immigration Department.

Candidates showed up in huge numbers to the job fair and officials from the resort’s human resources department said they exceeded expectations.

Application forms were available at the event, candidates were asked to have a valid Police Record, CV, proof of status (PRC, Belonger Status or Naturalization) and a valid passport. They were asked to be professionally dressed - no jeans, T-Shirt or slippers.

The Resort’s Human Resource Department is looking to fill the positions of: IT Trainee, Steward Supervisor, Engineering Supervisor, Reservations Agent, Group & Events Agent, HR/Training Assistant, Beach Attendant, Wait Staff, Electrician,

A group of youngsters and adults who attended the job fair A/C Technician, Pest Control, Landscaper, Payroll Clerk, Income Auditor, Guest Assistant and Guest Relations

In an interview with The SUN, Assistant HR Manager Joel Richards said, “We’re trying to recruit new talent for growth and development at Amanyara Resort. It was a successful event. We had over 107 candidates for interviews and hopefully we will be able to hire as many as possible. At this stage I wouldn’t be able to say

how many will be hired, because we have to review all of the applications, then we would go from there and see what we have.”

He added: “We were looking for persons who have different skills and different backgrounds to fill various positions. If you look at the job market today, it is changing and we have limited resources to select from, so we are trying our best to ensure that we tap into the market that is available to us because there are

competitions and we’re trying to be market leaders rather than followers to compete with our competitors in terms of salary, compensation and benefits.”

Richards said that from his first impression of the candidates, he could tell that they were delighted, excited and some of them were happy that the resort provided the opportunity for them to be interviewed.

Human Resource Manager, Margo Stubbs added: “All together we are looking for 20-30 new employees.

It has been a while since we’ve done this, but the time has come where things have changed drastically and we need to really expand our horizons a little bit more to the public instead of just doing it (advertising) in the newspaper. We would like to publicize it more so that we can get some of the best candidates.”

Stubbs concluded that Amanyara has openings for students that are just coming out of high school and students who are still in High School who are on their last year and are looking for par- time jobs, so they can finish their education and to help them out financially and also get the training.

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 13

LOCAL NEWS

Minister of Tourism apologizes to visitors who experienced long airport waits

By Todeline Defralien

Minister of Tourism Hon. Ralph Higgs has apologised to guests/ visitors who visited these shores over the weekend and experienced very long wait at the Providenciales International Airport.

During a press conference held on Thursday March 8th at the Premier’s office, Higgs said: “We will go to the extent that we can to contact them directly on a one-on-one basis.

We will do so, and of course, extend our deepest regrets for the way that situation was handled. We will reassure them, and I think that they are aware, that this is not the norm in Turks and Caicos Islands, but from time to time there are hiccups in the system and this is simply a hiccup which we will address. I am confident that the Ministry of Immigration and the Head of the Public Service must and will address. We will be reaching out to them directly and as soon as we can, we will launch a public campaign, most likely over social media, to reassure the travelling public that they’re all welcome here and we will be rolling out the red carpet, as we have done traditionally for them.”

Higgs noted that he cannot overstate how important Tourism is to the livelihood and the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He added: “It is estimated that two out of every three jobs in the Turks and Caicos Island is directly or indirectly related to the tourism sector and it is true that following the recent storms, we along with our partners in the Hotel and Tourism Association, went into the market very aggressively and very positively to get the word out that Turks and Caicos is open for business, and people have subscribed to that idea and they are coming in numbers, almost record numbers for this time of year.”

Higgs told the public at large that they should be mindful or reminded of the importance of tourism and continue to be on their best behavior providing the first class service that visitors to the TCI have grown accustomed to.

Additionally he said, “I want to say to the officers at the airport that again, to be reminded of your role in our tourism sector. Turks and Caicos Islands is synonymous with the service and first class offerings worldwide and the behavior over the last few days can have a very serious detrimental impact on our brand and on our livelihood if it continues.”

Due to the new shift system implemented for the Immigration Department, last week Immigration Officers were short staffed which as a result caused very long wait for

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Minister of Tourism Hon. Ralph Higgs hundreds of visitors visiting these shores when going through security.

In addition a lot of these visitors took their frustrations to Tripadvisor to let known what was going and their experience at the Providenciales international Airport.

A Tripadvisor post entitled “Airport customs in TCI -the wait was 3 hours today!” gained over 45 replies to this review from guest who also experience the same treatment at the airport and others who haven’t visited as yet.

Some of the replies read, DebraB169, “We waited with at least 4 jet loads of passengers today for 3 hours to get through the line to get our passport stamped. The line started on the tarmac. I never experienced such a fiasco at customs. They had just 5 people working the counters. What a terrible first impression to TCI.”

CT Visitor added: “This is not an acceptable introduction for new or returning tourists. Steps can

be and should be taken to improve this situation. I have never waited more than 30 or 40 minutes, usually less, but I know I would be tired and grumpy if my first glance of Grace bay took 2 to 3 hours to achieve.... especially after a day of travel that may have begun many hours (or even days) before.”

547maca81 added, “Love TCI but no way would I want to stand in line for 3 hrs, especially if I had small children travelling with me. While this strike is going on the only way I would travel to TCI right now is with using the VIP services.”

Lyoness said, “We came in on Saturday 3/3 and waited over 2 hours for customs. Our flight had a slight delay but was actually only into TCI 20 minutes later than scheduled.

This is our 11th time to Provo and the first time it has ever been this bad! I agree with the others that if this was a visitor’s first time it was an awful experience! I really hope the powers that be at the airport get their act together soon to handle the influx of visitors especially when GB continues to be #1 in the world. Must also say that the volume of visitors on island this week is crazy too! May be a lot coming to TCI vs other islands damaged by the hurricanes?”

Pepper4prez said, “Seems each year gets progressively worse for longer waiting times...ugh! when you do finally get to the booth to have your documents “processed” the officer won’t even acknowledge you, just takes his or her time stamping and signing your passport, not a smile or enjoy your vacation...even though we all pay their salary. and that airport needs to be made bigger, again! with all the “perfect beach” reviews that Grace Bay is getting more & more curious tourists/visitors will be flocking to TCI.”

NOTICE Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 2014 An Application, PR 13398, by JOSEPH VIXAILLE AND JEAN ULYSSE for COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF A SUPERMARKET, AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND SHOPPING PLAZA has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Development Permission on 60505/99, BLUE HILLS on PROVIDENCIALES. Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, Downtown, Grand Turk or through the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, within twenty eight (28) days of publication of this Notice.

Noted Dated: _______________________________________________

Page 14

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

Bahamian swim coaches hope to make a difference in TCI

By Allie Capron

For brothers Lenin Hamilton and Arthur Hamilton Jr., swimming played a major role in shaping their worlds.

Last November, they opened the Turks and Caicos Aquatic Swim Club with the aim of bringing the benefits of swimming to the wider community and showcasing local talent.

At age 8, Arthur, then a chubby young boy, began swimming with a swim club in Freeport, Bahamas. With the support of his family and coaches, he went on to become the national champion. He pinpoints swimming as the key to many of the opportunities he has been given throughout his life.

“My father and coaches saw something in me early on,” Arthur said. “They helped push me to a level where I was able to compete regionally, representing The Bahamas in other islands and countries. My love for swimming granted me the opportunity to travel and see the world and it made other ventures possible for me as well. I was able to attend Florida State University, a number one division school where I got into football. My newfound love of football took me up to Minnesota where I played professionally for a bit.

So swimming opened a lot of doors for me.”

Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Lenin Hamilton has always been enthusiastic about swimming. After becoming a father, he was eager to carry on the tradition with his children. The potential he saw in his own kids inspired him to share the benefits of swimming with other children and members of the

community.

“Swimming has so many health benefits,” Lenin assured.

“Obviously, it helps you stay fit because you’re able to work every muscle and all ranges of motion. It’s better than jogging because it puts less strain on your joints. Also, for people with knee or back injuries, it can be therapeutic. Research has found that swimming helps your mind, helps you stay focused which is great for the kids with their school work. And for those that have trouble sleeping, it’s been found that swimming helps you sleep better. So the benefits are really across the board.”

Arthur mirrored Lenin’s enthusiasm, highlighting that swimming is an outlet that could open the door for many opportunities, especially for our youth.

“There’s so much talent in these islands, raw talent and so many kids don’t have the opportunity to show that,” he Arthur. “We’re surrounded by water and we should use it to our advantage. It’s a great outlet for the kids especially. Many parents complain that they don’t have time to take their kids here and there but they play such a big role in developing their kid’s productivity.

They’re the ones that have to get up and take them to where they need to be and support them. We’ve got to encourage our kids and guide them to reach their full potential. My hope is that it grants them the opportunities it granted me.”

On Sunday, February 25th 2017, SURFside Ocean Academy held the “Sunday at the Races” Open Water Swim Race on Leeward Beach.

The event showcased adult and youth swimming while raising funds for the 2018 TCI National CARIFTA Swim

Swim coaches, Lenin Hamilton and Arthur Hamilton Jr. Team.

Three members of the Turks and Caicos Aquatic Swim Club took part in the event. Lenika Hamilton (6) competed in the 50 meter under 10 race, Texroy Galloway (10) took part in the 50 meter under 10 race and Lenin Hamilton Jr. (8) competed in the 50 meter under 10 race, the 100 meter under 10 race and the 400 meter adult race in which he was the youngest to compete.

Lenin expressed his pride and joy watching his students compete in open water after only a short time of training.

“A few short months ago, these kids learned how to swim and they’re already confident enough and strong enough to compete in open water,” Lenin remarked. “That just goes to show you how much talent is in these islands. This is just the brink

tof how good they could be. Just imagine if they had the proper facilities to use at their leisure. Currently, we train in a 20 yard pool but to get the full training experience, we need a pool that’s at least 25 meters with multiple lanes. That would help a lot.

I’m noticing potential professionals in the bunch, ones with enough talent to go all the way. I mean the CARIFTA Games, Commonwealth Games and eventually, Olympics. With the right training, they could get there.”

The Turks and Caicos Aquatics Swim Club trains on Thursdays and Fridays at the International School. On weekends they train at the beach in open water. They train both children and adults. They can be contacted through Facebook on their official page: Turks & Caicos Aquatics Swim Club.

Public Notice to NHIP

By Rose Higgs

The office of NHIP needs to STOP acting as if they are the Immigration Department of the TCI when it comes to enrollment of prospective contributors, most especially newly employed individuals to their health scheme.

Too many new hires must instantly be terminated from their new jobs because although they have copies, the original documents are either sitting in TCI Government offices or in the UK passport office and because of this NHIP denies their application for enrollment.

Come on NHIP officials! NHIP has been in operation for too long for

you not to have already formulated a plan for prospective contributors to prove their legal status, even if they are not in possession of their original documents due to proven circumstances beyond their control.

The employment of Turks and Caicos Islanders and legal residents alike should not be hindered because of NHIP officials and the Ministry of Finance, under which it falls, lack the vision to address this issue.

People are unemployed, and they need to work and when they are lucky enough to get hired, yet NHIP is refusing to accept their new enrollment applications because they are not in possession of their original documents??

Come on, this must change and change IMMEDIATELY as too many persons must be instantly terminated because theCEOs and the Ministry responsible for this great being organizations have been unable to come up with a workable solution to this vexing issue that is causing many TCI Islanders / legal residents to remain JOBLESS hence without medical coverage.

Don’t you know that the more persons you deny enrollment to the scheme the more it cost tax payers when they become sick as we the working class are the persons who foots their bills. #STAND#UP#TC

Rose Higgs

䘀伀刀 䄀䰀䰀 夀伀唀刀 䄀䐀嘀䔀刀吀䤀匀䤀一䜀 一䔀䔀䐀匀 䌀伀一吀䄀䌀吀 ⠀㘀㐀㤀⤀ⴀ㌀㌀㤀ⴀ㔀㠀㜀㤀 漀爀 䔀䴀䄀䤀䰀㨀 猀甀渀䀀猀甀渀琀挀椀⸀挀漀洀 䄀昀昀漀爀搀愀戀氀攀 刀愀琀攀猀 簀 䠀椀最栀 瘀漀氀甀洀攀 琀爀愀昀昀椀挀 簀 刀攀氀椀愀戀氀攀

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 15

LOCAL NEWS

Gansevoort recognizes employees at 3rd annual cocktail event

G

ansevoort hosted its third annual cocktail event to recognize employees who went above and beyond the call of duty to provide service excellence.

The event took place at the Gansevoort hotel on Thursday, March 8th, 2018 where over 40 employees were awarded.

Employee of the Month winners 2017were: Mardochee Garcia Geraldine Williams, Darvin Walkin, Taciana Bien-Aime, Rashad Saunders, Jamesly Guerrier, Andrew Moss, Quincy Thomas, Thea Johnson, Modeline Alouidor, Perold Etienne, Louvane Jerome, Jean Theresias, Jackson Williams, Job Destine, Alba Melendez and Guilene Emile.

Deborah Powell, Thomas Forbes and Loida De La Cruz walked away with Team Leader of the Quarter for 2017.

Some 43 staff members received TripAdvisor mentions for 2017. Employee of the year winners for 2017 were Front of House Winner – Darvin Walkin and Back of House Winner – Alba Melendez, Team Leader of the year winner 2017 was Deborah Powell.

Manager of the year winner 2017 went to Roshelle Brown- Hawkins.

These photographs captured the event.

Photos By: Kelano Howell & Earlson Robinson

TURKS HEAD YACHT CLUB

is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates for the

followingpositions. The successful applicants must:

Chukka Caribbean Adventures (TCI) Ltd is about playtime! It’s about fun, laughter and a passion for life. Every single member of the CHUKKA team in Jamaica, Belize and Turks & Caicos contributes to helping their guests play; they get to wow them at every turn with all that the Caribbean has to offer.

Have at least 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry with at least 5 years’ experience in a supervisory position

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Responsible for Human Resources Management and the overall supervision of all employees Inventory Controls, purchasing and planning. Perform accounting and banking functions in coordination with the POS system.

Managing relations with the cruise lines Shore Excursion Executives. *Remuneration on a profit share basis

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Chukka is always looking for new talent to add to our dynamic team.

All successful applicants must: •Be at least 21 years old.

•Be well spoken in English.

•Possess excellent interpersonal & written communication skills.

•Trustworthy & Reliable disposition with a clean criminal record.

•Positive & disciplined work attitude in a customer service oriented business.

•Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including weekends, public holidays as necessary to meet the challenging needs of cruise ship schedules and/or reasonable needs of the business.

See below opportunity currently available in Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands: HORSE BACK RIDE GUIDE As a tour guide, you are responsible for providing accurate tour information to guests and consistently deliver a safe fun-packed experience.

Minimum Requirements: •Two year experience working with Horses •C.P.R. and First Aid desirable •Life guard certification desirable Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: •Speaks good English •In-depth knowledge of horses and horse care •Ability to calm disgruntled and/or challenging guests •Ability to work under pressure •High professional & ethical standard •Passion for nature & the environment •Must have the physical ability to frequently lift and carry heavy to moderate weights.

•Ability to use initiative Special Conditions Associated with the job •Outdoor environment •May be required to work beyond normal hours Compensation: Approximately $700USD per Fort Night

Housing also provided based on Experience Reports to: Operations Manager Applications along with CVs/ Resume’ can be submitted via Email to: gtadmin@chukka.com, please place the desired position in the subject line *** Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted ***

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ASSISTANT MANAGER/SUPERVISOR

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RESTAURANT CAPTAIN

Have at least 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry with at least 5 years’ experience in a supervisory position Be at least 30 years old Have a clean criminal record Have a valid passport Have previous experience with MICROS POS systems Possess the ability to remain calm in a high stress environment Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business

RESTAURANT COOK

Have at least 10 years’ experience in restaurant kitchens managing, ordering, preparing and hands on cooking in a supervisory position. Experience in tourism would be an asset.

Be at least 30 years old Have a clean criminal record Have a valid passport Have previous experience with MICROS POS systems Possess the ability to remain calm in a high stress environment Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business

WAITERS/SERVERS / BARTENDERS/SALES ASSISTANTS

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Have at least 5 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, experience in the tourism would be an asset Possess the ability to remain calm in a high stress environment Be well spoken with English as primary language Have a valid passport Be at least 25 years old Have a clean criminal record Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business

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Have a clean criminal record Have a valid passport Hold a valid certification in CPR and First Aid Have at least 3 years’ experience in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Must be able to swim Must be physically fit and well presented with a trustworthy and reliable disposition Excellent communication, inter-personal and customer service skills with English as primary language Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business

BEACH ATTENDANTS

Preference will be given to documented Turks and Caicos Islanders Written applications only and accompanying CVs/resumes must be addressed to the Manager at the following address: Cee’s Plaza, Suite No. 1 TURKS HEAD YACHT CLUB Church Folly c/o EPIC Corporate & Consultancy Services Ltd. PO Box 86 Phone: 649-946-1570 Grand Turk Fax: 649-946-1571 Turks & Caicos Islands Email: epic@epiccorporate.com

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

Cold Sores

By Dr. Marsha Barnett

Cold sores or fever blisters are very common and affect all ages.

It tends to strike when you are at your worse like when you’re down from the flu, and can be both painful and embarrassing.

WHAT CAUSES COLD SORES?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Whilst there are two types of herpes virus, HSV1 and HSV-2, type 1 usually causes blistering in the oral area and type 2 tends to cause genital disease. It is estimated that well over half of the world’s population has HSV 1, the common culprit of cold sores! However, it is possible to have cold sores on the mouth caused by either virus.

The virus is usually contracted through close contact such as kissing on the lips. This does not however have to be intimate kissing as many persons contract the virus as children when innocently kissed on the lips by loved ones. You can also become infected after sharing cosmetics or practicing oral sex.

Whilst one is more likely to pass on the virus when they have an active infection and blisters are present on the skin, many persons contract the virus from someone who has no visible signs and symptoms.

Not everyone who contracts the virus gets blisters or recurrent outbreaks.

Once you get the herpes simplex virus, it can’t be cured but outbreaks can be managed and even avoided. Because the virus remains dormant in the body, new sores can appear at any time when the virus reactivates especially at times when your immune system might be weakened such as when you have a sun burn to the lips, are battling the flu or in stressful period of your life.

COLD SORE SYMPTOMS

You may notice a tingling or burning sensation on your lips a few days before a cold sore appears. Then you’ll see raised, red blisters which may be painful and tender to the touch.

The cold sores may take days or even weeks to resolve on its own. Cold sores can also cause a fever and swollen lymph nodes in the neck region.

You should call your doctor immediately if you develop any eye symptoms during a cold sore outbreak as herpes infections that have spread to the eyes can cause permanent damage and even blindness!

TREATING COLD SORES

There is no cure for cold sores but there are treatments available to shorten the time the blisters last on

the skin, the severity of the infection and even stop the blisters from coming up if taken at the initial stages.

Symptoms may be eased by applying ice over the sores. Alternative treatments for cold sores include using a lip balm containing lemon extract or applying aloe vera gel to the area for the cooling and soothing effect. Taking lysine supplements on a regular basis is associated with less frequent outbreaks for some people.

Over the counter and prescription creams can be used on the lips to help clear the blisters faster. These creams must be applied to the skin up to five times a day. Oral prescription drugs can also be used especially if the infection is severe, bothersome to the patient or in cases where one gets recurrences relatively often.

PREVENTING SPREAD

Dr. Marsha Barnett steps to prevent them. For some persons, it may be getting a sunburn to the lips or being stressed out. And whilst you can’t avoid the stressors of life, you can manage your reaction to them.

Of course, for persons who do not get cold sores, avoid kissing anyone who has a cold sore, and do not perform oral sex on anyone who has active genital herpes.

You can infect someone with the virus even when you have no active lesions. However, one is more contagious when you’re having an outbreak. To prevent spreading cold sores to other people, don’t share *Dr. Marsha Barnett is a general items that touch your mouth, such as practitioner who also specializes lip balms, or a straw with other people in dermatology. For questions during an outbreak. or comments, please contact at

You can also help prevent the drmarshabarnett@gmail.com or reactivation of the cold sore virus by at Associated Medical Practices learning your triggers and taking 946-4242.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Margaritaville Grand Turk currently seeks to employ the following persons: •ENTERTAINMENT SUPERVISOR •STORES PORTER •DINING ROOM & RESTAURANT CAPTAINS •SERVERS/WAITERS •HOST/ HOSTESS •HOUSEKEEPERS, BUSSERS & RUNNERS •BAR SUPERVISOR •BARTENDER S •BARBACKS •HACCP SUPERVISOR •KITCHEN HELPERS •COOKS •ASSISTANT COOKS •STORE CLERK •GENERAL MANAGER/RESIDENT MANAGER Persons must have a good command of the English Language and able to work long hours, holidays and weekends.

Submit applications accompanied by a resume to the Human Resource Department at nrobinson@margaritavillecaribbean.com or by faxing to 649-946-1514.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON 30TH MARCH 2018 Whilst we thank every applicant for their interest in Margaritaville Grand Turk, only short-listed persons will be contacted. Only applications from Belongers will be accepted.

11x17

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 17

LOCAL NEWS

Report from February 28th Cabinet meeting

His Excellency the Governor, Dr John Freeman, chaired the 5th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday, 28 February 2018, at the Hon. Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales.

All Ministers were present except the Hon. Deputy Premier and the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication.

At this meeting Cabinet:

•Noted the final report of the recently completed Statutory Body Review to be released at a joint press conference by His Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier on 1 March. His Excellency the Governor and Hon. Ministers will meet with the relevant Statutory Bodies for which they are responsible to discuss the report with them; •Noted and proposed amendments to the Fiscal Strategic Policy Statement 2018/2022 for forwarding to the UK Government for approval;

•Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve, subject to amendments being made, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Regulations 2018 and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 for forwarding to the House of Assembly for approval;

•Noted the financial performance of the TCI Statutory Bodies for the period October to December 2017 as set out in the 3rd Quarter Financial Report submitted by the Accountant General in accordance with Section 148 (1) of the Public Finance Management Regulations.

Cabinet expressed concerns about material inaccuracies in a number of reports submitted by the Statutory Bodies and noted that a meeting was being arranged with the Accounting Officers of the Statutory Bodies to address this and other

issues;

•Advised His Excellency the Governor to grant approval for the execution of Contingency Warrant No.5 in relation to post hurricane expenditure which is to be submitted at a subsequent meeting of the House of Assembly;

•Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve for forwarding to the House of Assembly requests from various applicants for the waiver of customs storage fees to the amount of $65,287.00 for the Financial Years 2016/17 and 2017/18 in accordance with Section 51 (1) of the Public Finance Management Ordinance;

•Noted the recommendations in a report by the Integrity Commission on revisions to the allowances of the Hon. Speaker and other Members of the House of Assembly;

•Noted that a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between TCIG and Carnival

Corporation for the management of the Infrastructure Improvement Account was currently under consideration by Carnival Corporation;

•Noted the recommendations of the Procurement Board to award contracts in line with the Public Procurement Ordinance 2012 as follows – TR17/7 National Physical Development Plan; TR17/29 Supply of mobile lighting to the TCI Ports Authority;

•His Excellency the Governor drew attention to a number of issues that he had raised with members of Cabinet in relation to the provisional warrant which Cabinet had approved ahead of the budget being laid;

•Discussed banking and clinical services on North Caicos and banking services on South Caicos;

•Was informed by the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Gaming of a forthcoming public auction of seized vessels.

 Pool side bar hours of operation, location of facilities, and emergency procedure for rescue.  Knowledgeable of hotel facilities and services to answer guest inquiries.

Shifts varies. Full time. Weekend and holiday work may be required.

OPEN JOB POSITIONS DATE OPEN: March 7th, 2018 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: IT Professional DEPARTMENT: Information Technology Job Requirements: IT Systems Administration experience; Strong knowledge of VMWare, NAS, SQUID, WEBMIN; Strong knowledge of In-House Surveillance camera systems; Knowledge of Microsoft 2xxx Server architecture such as roles, networking etc.; Knowledge of Microsoft Active Directory; Knowledge of SAN/NAS storage system; Knowledge of Remote Desktop; Knowledge in Linux operating system; Knowledge in configuring squid proxy access policy; Knowledge in Virtual Private Network (VPN); Experience in Point of Sale Jonas system and Jonas Accounting software; Experience in Micros OPERA administration; Experience in Saflok Doorlock system administration; Basic Knowledge in Electronics system; Experience in Avotus Call Accounting system; Basic Knowledge in Night Audit.

Daily activities: Be responsible for server infrastructure support and maintenance (Linux Ubuntu) and Windows Server and workstation; Responsible to troubleshoot electronics systems (TV, Sound Systems, PA Systems); Responsible to troubleshoot Doorlock systems; Responsible to troubleshoot Guest internet and Office internet connection; Provide email configuration and support; Responsible for daily POS transaction reports; Responsible for OPERA PMS operation; Responsible for property surveillance camera system.

This position is currently held by an expatriate worker. Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour & Work Permit Board Zone 2 Annual Salary: $36,000.00 DATE OPEN: March 7th, 2018 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: Pool & Beach Attendant DEPARTMENT: Guest Services - Pool and Beach Job Overview: Assists guest with beach and pool recreational activities supervising, swimming and ensuring that the guests are catered to while they are relaxing on the beach or by the pool.

Responsibilities:  Assists swimmers from water when in danger.  Provide excellent service consistent with the hotels standards operating procedures and brand attributes.  Greet all guests upon arrival, distribute towels, offer assistance with seating, and delivering consistent guest service, exceeding guest expectations, and providing all other supporting services.  Knowledgeable of pool facility such as length and depth of all pools etc.

This position is currently held by an expatriate worker. Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour & Work Permit Board Zone 2 Salary Range: $6.25 - $7.00 per hour __________________________________________________________________________ DATE OPEN: March 7th, 2018 POSITION: Public Area Attendant DEPARTMENT: Housekeeping

START DATE: ASAP

Job Overview: Keeps all Building and public facilities (such as hallways, elevators, floor closets, stairways and common areas) in a neat and clean condition.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  Cleans hallway, stairways and closets and ensure these areas are free from trash.  Clean and polishes elevators.  Polishes furniture and fixtures located in work area.  Washes walls and ceilings, clean windows and pergolas.  Sweeps, mops, scrubs, waxes, and polishes floors.  Dusts and polishes metal work.  Responsible for upkeep of all equipment and working tools i.e. Vacuum cleaner, trolleys, Scrubbing machine, etc.  Responsible for maintaining a time schedule for cleaning of work areas.  Responsibly for keeping and maintaining owner’s lockers and basement area clean at all times.

Qualified Islanders and Belongers need only to apply.

Wage Range: $6.25 – $7.00 per hour DATE OPEN: March 7th, 2018 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: Housekeeping/Room Attendant DEPARTMENT: Housekeeping Job Requirements:  Ensure the cleanliness of all hotel areas  Assist in all Housekeeping responsibilities, cleaning of all guest rooms, stocking amenities and linens  Physical stamina and mobility including ability to reach, kneel and bend  Ability to lift, push and pull required load (usually about 30lbs)  Ensure inventory is used properly and in supply at all times  Possess knowledge of proper cleaning supplies and chemical handling Qualified Islanders and Belongers need only to apply Wage: $6.25 per hour Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department @ (649) 946-8550 Ext. 7500 Email: nikiesha@thewestbayclub.com Fax: (649) 941-8695

Send us your sports reports and photos to sun@suntci.com And we will publish them at no cost

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

Minister of Tourism visits South Caicos

The Minister of Tourism, Environment, Heritage, Maritime & Gaming, Hon. Ralph Higgs, accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Cherylann Jones, and other senior officials visited South Caicos on Friday 2nd March. The purpose of the visit was to meet with Seafood Plant Operators, and Fishermen, to get a better understanding of state of the industry since the opening of the Conch and Lobster seasons.

South Caicos, the fishing capital, of the Turks & Caicos Islands currently has three functioning plants, which provides jobs for many of the South Caicos residence. With almost 100 licensed fishermen, and other persons working in the plants. The plants also export conch and lobster and supply local markets, the Minister

had the opportunity to tour a fishing plant and engage fishermen.

In a meeting with the fisher folk, Minister Higgs, indicated his intention to work closely with the stakeholders in the fisheries industry to ensure the sustainability of their livelihoods, fish stocks, and securing opportunities for a robust and diversified industry. He went on to say that the issue of illegal poaching of banks was high on his agenda.

He requested the commitment of the fishermen in working with the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) in policing this precious resource.

The visit also lend itself to a few site visits of development on the island which are being monitored by the DECR.

Minister of Tourism visits South Caicos 2

BUTTERFIELD GOLD GROUP OF COMPANIES POSITIONS AVAILABLE DANNY’S RESTAURANT One (1) Cashier/Waitress Wages: Commensurate with experience

Minister of Tourism visits South Caicos 1

The Atrium Resort in Providenciales has an immediate opening for a qualified Belonger to fill the position of “Electrical Technician” or an Understudy.

The successful candidate must have a minimum of 10 years experience in a Resort environment and is expected to possess the experience and skills to conduct the following: •Maintain all aspects of electrical and electronics vital to the operations of the resort •Ability to understand and read blueprints, instruction manuals, and follow electrical diagrams •Rough in and install 3 phase high voltage and low voltage lines including installation of electrical panels, plugs, switches, lights, fans and any electrical devices •Ability to program and maintain fire alarm systems (NFPA 72 certificate is essential) •Maintenance of diesel generator, transfer switch, fire pump and related emergency circuits •Automization and controls for pumps and motors •Understand functionality principals of electrical meters and collect readings from electrical and water meters •Collect, analyze, and summarize data and trends of the resort’s technologies •Installation, maintenance and repairs of elevators, CCTV & security systems, electronic safes, locks, card access system, appliances (fridge, stove, dishwasher, microwave, washer/dryer), in-room electronics, satellite TV equipment, VOIP equipment, Internet/local area networks (including Cisco POE smart switches, Linksys routers, POE devices and RJ-45 connectors) •Consistently update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks; and participating in professional organizations •Be available to attend to any emergency calls 24/7 Salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications /experience.

For consideration, please submit current resume with Belonger status and two (2) reference letters to: Marsha Blanche; email: marsha@misickstanbrook.tc; tel.: 946-4732

BUTTERFIELD GOLD One (1) Carpenter

All aspects of carpentry, including both rough-in and finish carpentry.

Applicant must have general knowledge in construction including roof construction, erection, maintenance and repair.

Must be able to work with others and direct workflow with helpers for maximum productivity.

Be able to read and work from architectural drawings

Have ability to work with minimum supervision.

Minimum of eight (8) years working experience based on above criteria.

Wages: Commensurate with experience One (1) Domestic worker General cleaning the Town Center mall windows and offices Wages: starting from $6.50 per hour One (1) Gardener Looking for an experienced gardener to maintain Butterfield Square & the Town Mall grounds, cleaning the parking lots and malls.

Wages: starting from $7.00 per hour DHL One (1) Customer Service Rep Customer Service Rep for the DHL front desk.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience Requirements for all Applicants:  Hardworking team player with excellent people skills.  Willingness to work, weekends and holidays as required.  In addition to the performance of the essential functions employees may able required to perform supportive functions, with the percentage of time performing each function to be solely determined by the supervisor.

Only Belongers apply for these positions. Application forms available from Butterfield Gold Human Resource Department. Only applicants selected for interview will be notified.

Submit applications to: Butterfield Gold Ltd., Human Resource Department Town Center Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 19

LOCAL NEWS

RGHS show the love

After weeks of balancing exams, SBAs, and preparing for the SHOW THE LOVE fund raiser, fifteen Raymond Gardiner High school students took to the stage of Brayton Hall. No one expected the degree of professionalism and passion the young talented artists displayed! From their rousing introductions after being escorted on stage by the Lunka Boys junkanoo group, to the electrifying medley of contemporary songs played by the accomplished band, to the powerful solos and duets and group items, along with the former students who returned to where it all started for them: Indra Harvey, saxophonist MJ Lewis, Brentford Handfield who teamed up with his teenage son in their popular Sax o’ Pan Serenades; to Wenty Rigby the Saw Man, each item left the

audience wanting more. And more they got! Two internationally acclaimed guest artists, Rah the Entertainer and Noel Browne put the icing on the musical cake! What a night!

Not to be outdone, the auction items displayed by art and woodwork students were of such a high quality that bidders enthusiastically selected pieces just to support such incredible work of art!

The students were thrilled to have HE the governor Dr. John Freeman stop by en route to another engagement. He congratulated the students and wished them well. Hon and Mrs Ralph Higgs, Hon Akierra Missick, Hon Josephine Connolly and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon and Mrs Dwayne Taylor, along with many North Caicos natives and friends

vigorously cheered the young talents as they stepped out of their comfort zone!

DC Musgrove who engineered the whole concept of taking the annual talent show on the road, said that the students so impressed everyone present that a few who were given complimentary tickets actually paid for them afterwards! Furthermore, persons who did not make it out for reasons beyond their control called to give their $50 or mostly $100! The regret of missing such a highly talked about show was palpable!

This fund raiser was born from the collaboration of the RGHS students led by Briann Gardiner and Astacio Ariza whose vision it was to give the hurricane damaged Horse Stable Beach community center a much

needed facelift. HIRTAC Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is made up mainly of Turks and Caicos Islanders based in the UK, teamed up with the industrious youth to provide funding.

Two members Gemma Arthur and Sophie Newstead were present to support the ambitiously gifted students.

Mark Pankhurst of Friends of the Arts and VP Anthony Wilkinson of BWIC were major supporters of the show. Other sponsors were Caribbean Cruisin, SIXT car rental, Ports of Call Resorts, the Hartling Group, Spence Security, RTCPF, Graceway Supermarkets, FORTIS, FLOW, Provo Water, and Lew Shipping and My Girl ferry.

All monies raised go directly to the Horse Stable Beach community center project.

Are you looking for a new and exciting work environment?

Thinking about venturing into a new field or maybe you are looking to jump start your career and climb the ladder towards upward mobility and success.

Well if you are self-motivated, driven and possess a keen interest in hospitality, Amanyara Resort will hire and train you to be the best that you can be. We invite you to come and be a part of the AMAN family.

WHEN: Wednesday March 7th, 2018 from 9am to 3pm WHERE: Sammy Been Building Airport Road Parking Lot Application forms will be available. Candidates must have a valid Police Record, CV, Proof of Status (PRC, Belonger Status or Naturalization) and a valid Passport.

Candidates must be professionally dressed, no jeans, T-Shirt or slippers.

The following positions are available: ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢

IT Trainee Engineering Supervisor Group & Events Agent Beach Attendant Electrician Pest Control Payroll Clerk Guest Assistant

Steward Supervisor Reservations Agent HR/Training Assistant Wait Staff A/C Technician Landscaper Income Auditor Guest Relations

Silly Creek Water Sports Is looking for an Assistant Manager The qualifications include: -boat captain license and experience captaining private excursions - qualified wake board/waterski instructor -book keeping experience, excel/word, excellent written and verbal communication skills, booking/coordinating -experienced lifeguard - CPR and First Aid qualifications This position is a work permit renewal.

Please forward CV to the Labor Department and to info@sillycreekwatersports.com

Page 20

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

IMMEDIATE OPENING MAINTENANCE MANAGER * Responsibilities •Establish goals, measurements and results for the department along with the General Manager.

•Involvement in the preparation of the Maintenance Operating and Capital budgets.

•General operational and preventative maintenance of systems including: Boilers and heating systems; Make up air and HVAC systems; Pool facilities; and General plumbing issues.

•Maintain hotel guest rooms and public areas by performing routine maintenance jobs and repairs.

•Troubleshoot and perform minor repairs on plumbing systems, electrical systems and appliances. heating, cooling and ventilation systems •Organize, implement and track all maintenance projects for guestrooms and public areas.

•Monitor and revise as needed, departmental health & safety tools including training programs, policies and practices.

•Effective and timely interaction with all Hotel & Restaurant departments and positivelyimpact guest experience by effectively and efficiently resolving maintenance concerns.

Requirements •3 years prior Maintenance Management and/or supervisory experience within a operation equal in size and facilities. Background in electrical and or plumbing are essential.

•Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Proven ability to motivate and lead employees in a busy, high quality environment.

•Ability to respond quickly in a dynamic and changing environment. Ability to handle multiple requests in a fast-paced environment.

•Good training, coaching and mentoring skills are essential. Proven experience with budgets and payroll process is essential.

•Completion of high school and technical training required.

•Many tasks require sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, and/or positioning to accomplish tasks •Able to lift and carry up to 50+ lbs. is common and up to 150 lbs with assistance •Previous hotel maintenance experience preferred •Able to work efficiently under time constraints Starting salary $40,000.00 per annum not including service charge JR. SOUS CHEF* The Jr. Sous Chef is responsible for the preparation of all menu items for outlet, ensuring a quality product is delivered and oversee execution to adhere to resort quality standards.

Duties and responsibilities •Ensure mis-en-place is set for all stations of outlet kitchen.

•Ability to read recipes, check food presentations and displays with precision.

•Check the quality of the product to ensure the standards for food service are maintained.

•Demonstrate ability to cook meat, fish and vegetables with the correct method and temperature.

•Create daily specials for outlet with guidance and approval from Executive Sous Chef or Executive Chef.

•Ensure the correct rotation and storage of products for quality selection.

•Ensure the Kitchen is kept clean and sanitary.

•Follow directions from the Executive Sous Chef or Executive Chef with accuracy.

•Communicate any defects in kitchen equipment to the Executive Sous Chef.

•In addition, other duties as may be required as directed by your Manager.

Key Skills and Requirement: •Minimum 5 years’ experience in a hotel restaurant preferably in a luxury hotel.

•Proven experience in all sections of the kitchen •Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.

•Accuracy and attention to detail.

•Able to stand for long periods of time.

•Able to carry up to 20kgs.

•Able to handle a fast-paced environment and be able to work under pressure.

•Must be organized and detailed oriented.

Salary for this position $23,000 per annum and is based on previous experience and qualifications GROUNDSKEEPER/GARDENER* Duties Include: •Take on special landscaping or planting projects as deemed necessary by the Landscaping manager.

•Mow the lawns, prune the bushes and trees , edges the walkways and give the grounds a manicured look •Operate equipment to keep all of the walkways and buildings entrances cleared and safe •Collaborate with maintenance team to make sure the grounds and the building are always properly cared for •Perform regular maintenance and minor repairs on the lawn care equipment and tools •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts including Saturdays and Sundays Salary $6.25 an hour not including service charge HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR * Requirements: •Must have minimum 2years experience as a housekeeping supervisor in luxury hotel/resort •Must have direct knowledge of housekeeping cleaning, processes and procedures, computer PMS systems, and telephone etiquette.

•Must be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

•Must be able to handle multiple buildings, floors, and guest requests.

•Must possess high communication, handle guest complaints and procedures to resolve.

•Must be a team player and team oriented. Must be highly organized, engaged with employees, guests and owners. Must have excellent time management

and communication skills.

•Must be able to work in an open air environment, and have flexible scheduling.

•Must be able and willing to work all shifts Starting salary $9.00 per hour not including service charge.

ROOM ATTENDANT * Responsibilities: •Ensuring that standards of cleanliness and organization are met at all times in assigned areas. o Responsibility for care and maintenance of all equipment and machinery o Restock linens and amenities on carts o Run needed items to guest floors o Assist housekeepers as required Requirements: •Ability to work with heavy cleaning machinery.

•Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Starting salary $6.25 not including service charge HOUSEMAN * Requirements: •Ability to work with heavy cleaning machinery.

•Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Responsibilities: Ensuring that standards of cleanliness and organization are met at all times in assigned areas and care and maintenance of all equipment and machinery o Restock linens and amenities on carts o Run needed items to guest floors o Assist housekeepers as required Starting salary $6.25 not including service charge.

COOK * Requirements: • Experience with, and comfortable preparing a variety of different cuisines in a fine dining environment • Understand the importance of consistency • Knowledge of food preparation techniques and health/safety • Duties Include: • Prepare all food items according to recipe cards and correct handling procedures.

• Maintain highest quality and appearance of all foods sent from kitchen and make sure plates are clean and appetizing.

• Maintain orderly and clean refrigerators and work areas.

• Rotate all foods and correctly fill out production charts.

• Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Starting salary $6.25 per hour not including service charge.

RESORT ELECTRICIAN* Responsibilities: • Respond to customer and department requests throughout the facility, make the necessary electrical repairs and/or to accommodate the customers electrical needs in a timely and courteous manner.

• Perform preventive maintenance on and tests of all electrical systems, subsystems and equipment, including disassembling, replacing, cleaning, and repairing.

• Repair, maintain and trouble-shoot electrical equipment in accordance with wiring diagrams, schematics, operations manuals and manufacturers’ maintenance instructions, using test equipment such as volt meter, amp probe, and hand and power tools required to perform the functions of the position. Must have knowledge of wiring codes, Generators and Motors • Maintain light fixtures throughout the facility by replacing burned out light bulbs and/or making necessary repairs/replacements to the light fixtures on a routine and regular basis to sustain lighting standards. The Electrician will be required to use a ladder or man lift working at heights up to 30 feet, often reaching above head, for extended periods of time.

• Set up/Breakdown of power and lighting equipment for exhibits, meetings and banquets. This will involve pushing, pulling and lifting of equipment and materials (up to 50 lb.)

• Perform the functions of a lighting console or spot light operator for banquets and meetings. This will require long hours of operating the equipment and the use of a head set for clear and concise verbal communication in the English language.

Requirements: •Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or any other combination of education, training or experience of at least five years that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

•Five years electrical experience in buildings with complex electrical systems.

•Must Have Certificate in Electrical Training and/or First Aid Training preferred. Must have considerable knowledge of electrical systems and components to maintain and repair building electrical equipment.

•Considerable knowledge of electrical supplies and materials and proper application of same.

•Extensive knowledge of safe working practices with regards to wire sizes, fuse sizes and overloading of electrical circuits. *POSITIONS MARKED WITH (*) ARE CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. Interested applicants should apply to The Shore Club, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to careers@theshoreclubtc.comno later than end of day Monday, March 19, 2018.

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

NOTICE

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 1990 A Planning Application, registered as PR 13441 by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture and Library Services thru the Public Works Department, has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Construction of Government Primary School with Early Childhood and Special Needs Centres.

Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, Grand Turk or Providenciales, within twenty eight (28) days of publication of this Notice.

Location map to be provided.

Notice dated: February 23, 2018 *Insert as applicable

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

IT’S A CELEBRATION!

Run, walk or cycle with us as we celebrate the 10th year of our Spring Fun Walk & Run! Prizes, giveaways, great food and fun for all!

Register today by emailing dkrzanowski@fortistci.com or visit our office.

Saturday, March 17th @ 5:30 a.m.

FortisTCI main office on Leeward HWY 10 BIG RAFFLE PRIZES

BIG BREAKFAST PRIZE FOR ELDEST PARTICPANT FREE GIVEAWAYS PRIZES FOR 10K AND CYCLIST WINNERS 2017 Winner

Allied Member of the Year

www.fortistci.com | 649-946-4313

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 23

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE BACK ON, WE’RE At FortisTCI, we know the electricity we provide is vital to run your homes, power your businesses and fuel our economy.

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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READY TO WELCOME BACK OUR VISITORS And the quicker electricity is restored after a hurricane, the better for the tourism sector.

With over $35 million invested in recovery after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, we rebuilt stronger, and restored quickly to fuel a return to tourism activities in our nation’s capital.

2017 Winner

Allied Member of the Year

www.fortistci.com | 649-946-4313

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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Join Us For An Evening With Eva Schloss

Th

Beyond the Diary Through The Eyes of Her Childhood Best Friend and Step Sister Join us for a firsthand account that will take you from the anguish of Auschwitz to the resilience of the human spirit. One of the last Holocaust survivors, Eva Schloss, will tell her unforgettable story while adding her own unique perspective as Anne Frank’s best friend and stepsister. Eva’s incredible account of strength and courage will leave its mark on you forever.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018 At The Shore Club

6:30pM – doors open | 7:00pM – prograM Begins A question and answer session will follow

The event is FREE and open to the public For more information contact Rabbi Sholom Bluming at Rabbi@JewishTCI.com A Project of the Provo Jewish Community With Special Thanks To Our Sponsors CARGO EXPRESS SERVICES LTD

Tony & Kerry Lancaster

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

Sister Sister TCI celebrates International Women’s Day

By Todeline Defralien

S

ister Sister TCI joined millions of women from around the country and the world in celebrating International Women’s Day, on Thursday March 8th, 2018.

Ladies were encouraged to wear purple

to show their support for President & Founder women’s achievements of Sister Sister TCI, Lillian throughout history and across Boyce said the teachers are nations. doing amazing work and the Sister Sister TCI was also students are so well-behaved. delighted to do morning “This is such a great way to devotion with the Enid celebrate Education Week Capron Enid Capron Primary and International Women’s school on Thursday March Day,” she said.

8th.

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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HEALTHY

LIFESTYLE

Highly processed foods tied to increased risk of certain cancers

People who consume mostly packaged foods and drinks with lots of unpronounceable ingredients may be more likely to develop certain cancers than people who subsist mostly on whole foods found in nature, a French study suggests.

Researchers examined data from dietary surveys completed by nearly 105,000 adults who didn’t have cancer. By the time half the participants had been in the study for at least five years, 2,228 cancer cases had been diagnosed – including 739 breast cancers, 281 prostate cancers, and 153 colorectal cancers.

Every 10 percent increase in the amount of heavily processed foods and drinks people consumed was associated with a 12 percent higher risk of developing all cancers and an 11 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer during the study, researchers report in The BMJ.

“Consumers should not be alarmed at this stage, as these results need to be confirmed,” said lead study author Bernard Srour of the French Institute of Health and Medical Research INSERM in Paris.

But based on other research linking certain additives and chemicals in processed foods to an increased risk of cancer and other

health problems, consumers should be cautious about what they eat and drink, Srour said by email.

“Ultra-processed foods and beverages contain some food additives for which carcinogenic effects are suspected such as titanium dioxide, a white food pigment which can be found in some confectionaries, chewing-gums, and biscuits,” Srour added. “Ultra-processed foods are also often packaged in plastic which might contain contact materials having controversial effects on health, such as bisphenol A (BPA).”

Study participants reported their dietary habits based on their recollection of what they ate and drank over a 24-hour period in surveys administered every six months. Over the first two years of follow-up, people typically completed at least five surveys.

Compared with people who generally avoided heavily processed foods, individuals who consumed lots of ultra-processed foods tended to be younger, current smokers, and less active with limited education.

People who consumed the most heavily processed foods typically drank a lot of sodas and other sugary beverages and ate lots of sugary, fatty and starchy foods, the study found.

Israel’s Medivie signs $110 million medical cannabis export deal

Israel’s Medivie Therapeutic said on Sunday it signed a $110 million deal to grow and export medical cannabis to an international financial investor over a four year period.

The deal is dependent on Israel allowing export of medical cannabis, a decision the company said it expects to come in the near future. It did not identify the buyer.

Medivie said in a statement to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange that it would grow the cannabis on 25 acres (10 hectares) either in Israel or a different country.

Medivie said it will provide the investor with 50 percent of production on the land, up to a maximum of 50 tonnes a year.

The company said it has 50 acres in agricultural land and is in talks with other entities to sign similar deals on the remaining land. It is also in talks to grow medical cannabis in Europe.

A man holds out a hot dog he bought from a street vendor in Washington October 26, 2015

The study wasn’t a controlled experiment designed to prove whether or how certain dietary habits might directly cause cancer, and it was also too brief to diagnose some tumors that might be slow-growing and take years to develop.

Participants were also generally more health-conscious and with higher income and education levels than the typical person in France, making it possible that results from this group might not represent what would happen with other people.

It’s also not clear what it is

about processed foods that might lead to cancer, noted Martin Lajous, author of an accompanying editorial and a researcher at the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico City and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.

While more research is needed to verify the connection between processed foods in cancer, it’s possible that food additives, certain nutrients or contaminants from packages or other factors might have contributed to malignancies that developed, Lajous said by email.

That said, plenty of evidence links a healthy diet to a lower risk of cancer and other chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, Lajous advised.

“Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and fish reduces the risk of cancer,” Lajous said.

“We know that some processed foods have a higher content of saturated fat, added sugars, salt, and lower fiber,” Lajous added.

“This makes some processed foods unhealthy, so while we wait to know whether unprocessed foods are linked to cancer or not, patients should seek to increase their intake of healthy foods.”

Teen sexting may be more common than you think

At least one in four teens are receiving sexually explicit texts and emails, and at least one in seven are sending sexts, a new study suggests.

Sexting can be a healthy way for young people to explore sexuality and intimacy when it’s consensual, said lead study author Sheri Madigan of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the University of Calgary in Canada.

The trouble is that when it’s coerced, or when sexts are shared without permission, it can feel a lot like cyberbullying, with many of the same dangerous mental health consequences.

More than one in 10 teens are forwarding these sexts without consent, the study found.

And roughly one in 12 teens have had sexts they sent shared without their permission.

“Today’s teens often do not separate their online and offline lives - it is all the same to them,” Madigan said by email.

“This is hard for parents to grasp.”

Most teens don’t report sexting at all, and those who do send or receive sexually explicit messages, videos or images tend to be older, researchers report in JAMA Pediatrics.

Researchers examined

data on sexting habits from 39 previously published studies with a total of 110,380 teens.

Participants were 15 years old on average, although they ranged in age from about 12 to 17.

Because kids today typically have a smartphone by the time they’re 10 years old, parents should address sexting as part of any early conversations they have with kids about practicing safe sex and protecting their privacy online, Madigan advised.

“It can be helpful for parents to think about sexting in the same way they think about sex,” said Elizabeth Englander, author of an accompanying editorial and director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State University.

Rather than forbid sexting outright, parents should be teaching children to consider the consequences of doing it and help kids understand how to resist pressure to do anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, Englander said by email.

“Youth think of adults as worriers and as over-estimating risk, particularly when technology is involved, and many will tune out adults who just tell them

A man uses a smartphone in New York City, in this picture taken November 6, 2013 don’t do this,’” said Lisa Jones, a researcher at the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.

“But sexting can be risky, and certainly nonconsensual sharing of explicit images is hurtful and even potentially criminal,” Jones, who wasn’t involved in the study, said by email.

The study wasn’t a controlled experiment designed to prove whether or how sexting might cause health problems for teens. Another drawback is that many of the smaller studies in the analysis used different definitions of sexting that made it difficult to determine how often teens are sharing explicit words, videos or photos.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

IMMEDIATE OPENING LABOURER* Duties Include:  General laborer duties as assigned by the supervisor or manager.  Willingness to work varying schedules, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays.

Salary $6.25 an hour not including service charge.

SENIOR SOUS CHEF* Requirements:  Minimum 6 years cooking experience in a luxury hotel environment.  Minimum 2 years experience as a Sous Chef in a luxury hotel environment.  Proven experience in all sections of the kitchen.  Excellent communication skills  Able to handle a fast paced environment and be able to work under pressure.  Must be organized and detailed oriented.  Tertiary culinary qualification preferred.

Duties Include:  Ensure mis-en-place is set for all stations of outlet kitchen.  Ability to read recipes, check food presentations and displays with precision.  Check the quality of the product to ensure the standards for food service are maintained.  Show precision cuts and knife use.  Demonstrate ability to cook meat, fish and vegetables with the correct method and temperature.  Create daily specials for outlet with guidance and approval from Executive Sous Chef or Executive Chef.  Ensure the correct rotation and storage of products for quality selection.  Ensure the Kitchen is kept clean and sanitary.  Follow directions from the Executive Sous Chef or Executive Chef with accuracy.  Communicate any defects in kitchen equipment to the Executive Sous Chef.  In addition, other duties as may be required as directed by your Manager.

Starting salary $38,000 per annum, not including service charge.

WAITER/WAITRESS* Duties Include:  Serve food and beverages to guests in a prompt manner and anticipate guest needs.  Knowledge of food and beverages on the menu included mix drinks and be aware of any menu items which are not available.  Prepare and arrange food or drinks that are attractive and appetizing to the guests.

Starting wages $6.25 per hour plus service charge.

DINING ROOM MANAGER* The Dining Room Manager will oversee the daily operation of P23 fine dining restaurant; Plunge casual outdoor restaurant and bar, Green Flamingo bar and In-room Dining.

Requirements:  Minimum of 6 years management experience in food and beverage, including fine dining  Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience  Strong knowledge of a variety of cuisines and wines/beverages  Strong understanding and proven track record of operational controls and sales  Proven ability to train and develop team members  Ability to take initiative while working effectively in a team environment  Excellent organizational skills  Passion for luxury food and beverage service; positive and cheerful attitude with high energy  Computer skills (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) plus knowledge of POS systems  Must be able to work all shifts and days Duties include:  Supervises, trains and coaches staff to meet Regent standard of luxury and ensure Regent Experience for guests.  Participates in development of business strategies for food & beverage outlets aligned with business objectives for maximizing revenue and guest satisfaction.  Participates in development of budgets and monitors status regularly to ensure achievement of financial targets.  Assists in developing and implementing marketing and promotions to increase business and revenue.  Works closely with culinary team to create and implement menus consistent with guest expectations and Regent standards of luxury and

quality.

Starting salary $20,000 per annum not including service charge SPA MANAGER * Requirements:  Minimum of 5 years’ experience as spa manager at luxury spa of similar size and status  Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience  Strong written and verbal skills with documented responsibility for promotions sales and marketing.  Merchandising/visual skills; experience with retail products and apparel goods.  Knowledge of current trends In luxury spa facilities and services  Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include:  Manage the day to day operations of the Fitness Center and Spa Facilities  Maximize profitability by increasing sales of products and services and by managing effectively  Ensure high quality of facility and services to meet international luxury and brand standards and earn global recognition and awards  Experience developing and implementing effective preventative maintenance programs  Demonstrated experience in development budgets and cost saving measures  Develop annual operating and Capex budgets, monitoring and adjusting as needed Starting salary $50,000 per annum not including service charge.

RETAIL ASSOCIATE Requirements: Point of Sale - Skilled in utilization of point of sale systems and/or other back-of the house systems. Upselling - Know the available products and services and suggest alternatives. Technical Service Skills - Demonstrate understanding of the technical service skills for assigned area Duties Include:  Provides assistance to guests with personalized service  Provides impeccable service to all guests projecting a professional image and expertise  Creates an environment designed to stimulate all senses through personal service  Assists all guests with their individual requests showing full knowledge of all inventory  Stays knowledgeable and informed about all resort services and operations, local information on restaurant, shops and activities.  Ensures that all shop displays are neat and eye catching  Maintains the working area in a professional and organized manner, handling all transactions with expertise  Gathers and records guest information in guest history system and uses guest knowledge to ensure a high level of guest recognition and personalized service Starting salary $7.00 per hour plus service charge SPA ATTENDANT Requirements:  Technical Service Skills…Demonstrate understanding of the technical service skills for assigned area, ability to learn new service skills, maintains current Certification  Organization…Demonstrate ability to proactively prioritize needs, put first things first, and effectively manage resources and time  Personal…Demonstrate good communication skills, ability to multitask, ability to handle unexpected situations in a professional and positive manner Duties Include:  Greets guests upon arrival to area of work  Gives a general tour of the facility when requested  Ensures that all policies are followed by the guests  Handles guests’ questions and concerns professionally and courteously  Promotes the retail products, gift certificates, promotions, etc offered by the Spa  Possesses the ability to work without direct supervision  Does inventory on request  Keeps reception area, lockerrooms, relaxation areas, fitness center, salon area, reception area, employee area and offices clean and orderly  Ensures that the Steamroom, Sauna and Plunge Pools are sanitized daily  Ensures that the shower areas fully stocked with shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, and any other amenity that is deemed appropriate for the guests  Ensures that all areas have sufficient stocks of linen, robes, etc  Ensures that all Juice bar areas are stocked with the necessary items (water, teas, juices, etc)  Ensures that soiled linen are returned to Laundry to be washed Starting salary $6.25 per hour plus service charge

*POSITIONS MARKED WITH (*) ARE POSITIONS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. Interested applicants should apply to The Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to wisland.toussaint@thepalmstc.com, no later than end of day Friday, March 23rd, 2018.

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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IMMEDIATE OPENING MECHANIC TECHNICIAN* The chosen candidate must have knowledge and experience in repair and maintenance including preventative maintenance to prevent down time on commercial laundry equipment including 250lb washer, flat ironer, folding machines, steam dryers, valet equipment, boilers, 150hp boiler feed tank, steam water heater and chemical injection system.

Duties Include:  Maintain proper preventative maintenance to laundry equipment and boilers.  Maintain proper inventory on designated parts to avoid down time.  Maintain proper amount of chemical injection on boiler feed tank and proper conductivity at boilers.  Preventative maintenance to steam traps and steam lines.

Starting salary $7.00 -$9.00 per hour plus service charge SOUS CHEF* Requirements:  Minimum 6 years cooking experience in a luxury hotel environment.  Minimum 2 years experience as a Sous Chef in a luxury hotel environment.  Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience  Must have strong knowledge of kitchen inventory and ordering process, staffing, expediting and ability to supervise the staff and kitchen operations under the direction of the Executive Chef  Excellent culinary technique and ability to work the line during all meal periods  Exceptional customer service orientation, complying with company service culture  Must be willing and able to work all days and shifts  Management skills Duties Include:  Recruit and select qualified candidates, provide training and communication performance expectations  Coordinate the inventory, purchasing and disbursement of all supplies with the purchasing manager  Inspect and ensures the proper set up and readiness of each item on menus  Supervise daily food preparation for assigned areas.  Ensure that the level of quality, portion control, and plate presentation is adhered to consistently  Work closely with staff to exceed guest expectations  Maintain product consistency by conducting inspecting or seasonings, portion and appearance of food Starting salary $28,000.00 per annum, not including service charge.

A/C TECHNICIAN* Requirements:  Minimum of 3 years experience as an IT Technician  Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience  Must have experience working with Opera and Visual One, Mitel Phone System, Cisco CCTV System, Fiber Optic Music System (fiber optic), Micros, Data Works and Premier Spa  Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to diagnose and resolve hardware and software problems for all systems, and document tracks and reports on deficiencies, progress and follow-up  Must read, speak and write English fluently  Must be able to work all days and shifts and be on call for emergency service request Duties Include:  Providing routine maintenance of hardware, software and systems  Installing/configuring computers/telephones and point of sales equipment and other systems equipment.  Installing, maintaining and repairing wifi system equipment  Installing/maintaining/repairing CCTV System  Repairing/upgrading hardware and software.  Troubleshooting printers/scanners/copiers.  Maintaining inventory of equipment and supplies.  Maintaining server room(s) and ensuring proper security for such.  Completing system backups according to required schedule.  Providing infrastructure support: LANDSCAPING PROJECT MANAGER* Requirements:  Minimum of 5 years’ experience in managing the landscaping department of a 5 star Luxury Caribbean Resort.  Post-secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience  Expert knowledge of Zone 9 Caribbean landscaping.  Vast knowledge in horticulture, native plant species and chemical usage towards the prevention of plant disease and insect control.  Must have extensive experience with Irrigation systems and landscape maintenance.  Must have strong supervisory skills and demonstrated experience managing a grounds department.

 Must be able to give direction and expertise in areas of basic landscaping, tool safety, chemical usage and operation of lawn equipment.  Must be able and Willing to work all shifts and days Duties Include:  Impeccable maintenance of grounds and landscaping.  Assists in supervising and participating in grounds work.  Ability to identify areas for improvement and keeps abreast of latest trends in regards to plants, irrigation, landscape maintenance and chemical applications.  Ensuring proper utilization and maintenance of equipment.  Managing overall cleanliness of work, storage and space areas.

Salary $30,000-40,000 not include service charge.

CONCIERGE AGENT Requirements:  Able to use computer systems accurately and efficiently.  Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal  Excellent attention to detail Duties Include:  Greet all guests at all times with a warm welcome using guest name; always project a positive personal presence with appearance, demeanor and body language.  Advise guests of points of interests and other information about surrounding area; book restaurants, tours and other services for guests accurately and in a timely manner, ensuring complete and timely communication of such to the guest.  Handle all service requests and guest complaint calls courteously and efficiently, maintaining all recordkeeping required and completing follow-up in accordance with departmental policy.  Be fully aware of all VIPs, special requests and guest’s history/ preferences to ensure a high level of guest recognition and personalized service.  Maximize revenue through upselling and cross-selling of resort services and amenities.  Complete opening and/or closing duties as required by shift; complete designated reports/updates during shift as requested and ensure thorough and accurate handover between shifts to ensure seamless service to the guest.  Maintain updated knowledge of all systems and procedures used within department.  Maintain all areas in a clean and organized manner.  Works in front desk and telephone/guest relations areas as needed and/or assigned.

Starting salary $8.00 per hour plus service charge SPA RECEPTIONIST Requirements:  Detail-orientation and ability to multi-task while maintaining accuracy.  Computer knowledge  Basic math and money handling skills.

Duties Include:  Perform spa opening and closing duties according to departmental standards.  Book, change, cancel and confirm spa appointments accurately and in timely manner.  Greet/acknowledge all guests entering and leaving spa and over the phone, using guest’s name.  Ensure courteous, efficient and accurate guest arrival and departure; utilize spa computer/software and cash bank proficiently according to department standards.  Use guest knowledge to ensure a high level of guest recognition and personalized service.  Promote and provide detailed descriptions of the spa, treatments, services, sessions and retail, as well as programs, promotions and/or discounts available.  Handle guest questions and concerns professionally and courteously; provide accurate, appropriate and immediate response/information.  Maintain a clean, safe, fully-stocked and well-organized work area.  Ensure staff coverage at Reception desk at all times and handle guest service situations according to department standards.  Communicate to management in a timely and professional manner any and all occurrences involving staff or guests that require attention.  Regularly attend, participate in and support training and staff meetings.  In addition, other duties as may be requested by department or other manager.

Starting salary $6.50 per hour plus service charge

*POSITIONS MARKED WITH (*) ARE POSITIONS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. Interested applicants should apply to The Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to wisland.toussaint@thepalmstc.com, no later than end of day Friday, March 23rd, 2018.

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For All you advertising needs contact TCISUN at 339-5879 Or email – sun@suntci.com NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OF GOD GRAND TURK

Is seeking a Labourer To work 5 days per week from 6am to 11am And 1 hour on Sunday from 6am to 7am Salary $6.25 per hour Please Contact: 231-0065 OR 244-9322

Anika Talbot

Is seeking to employ a Domestic Worker Salary: $6.25 PER HOUR CONTACT: 231.1844

Position is held by a work Permit Holder.

MRS. CYNTHIA ASTWOOD Is seeking to employ a live-in maid in Grand Turk.

Basic salary $6.50 per hour.

Contact: 2322016

Otis Morris Grand Turk NEEDS A DOMESTIC WORKER Salary $6.25 per hour To work 5 days per week Please Contact 241-4027

DR. JAMEIKO HARVEY Is looking to hire a live-in Helper To assist with three kids Please send resumes to paradise. smiles12@gmail. com or contact 649-3326006/331-8693.

HOUSEKEEPER NEEDED Must be able to clean apartments and condos Will be responsible for any other duties assigned regarding general housekeeping duties.

Must be hardworking and reliable.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

jean luxama

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

GEMINI SECRETARIAL AND CONSULTANT Carpenter helpers seek @ $7.50 per hour Two (2) Tile Layers, 5 days per week @ $7.00 per hours Three (3) Painter Helpers, 6 days per week @ $6.25 per hour Two (2) Babysitter, 6 days per week @ $6.25 per hour One (1) Mechanic, 6 days per week @ $7.00 per hour One (1) mechanic helper, 5 days per week @$6.25 per hour Two (2) clerks, 6 days per week @ $7.00 per hour One (1) driver/operator 6 days per week, @ $9.00 per hour

Is seeking a Mason To work 5 days per week Salary $8 per hour Please Contact: 341-7518 #681458

One (1) Mason helper, 5 days per week, @ $7.00 per hour One (1) construction helper, 5 days per week@ $7.00 per hour One (1) fly board instructor, $12.00 per hour, 5 days per week.

Interested persons please contact (649)2417278 between the hours of 10:00 am - 3:00pm Tuesday - Thursday.

jean luxama

robert williams

Swann Cuts hair studio

Is seeking a Maid To work 6 days per week Salary $6.50 per hour Please Contact: 341-7518

Is seeking a Labourer To work 5 days per week Salary $6.50 per hour Please Contact: 246-5105

Is Seeking a professional Cosmetologist Must work 6 days a week Salary - $6.25 per hour Contact - 345-7347 Email: Camille@swanncuts.com

& Day Spa

Wages $7.50 hourly.

Please submit application to Theodore Steplin YS Real Estate Ltd, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 232-3616.

Closing date for application is March 27, 2018.

#681458

# 681459

Minou Hair Braiding Styles

Treven Hamilton

Angela Higgs

Is seeking a stylist To work 6 days per week $6.50 per hour 8 hours per day Please contact: 241-1815

Is seeking a House Maid In Grand Turk Pay is minimum wage Please email me: ksaunders@gov.tc

Is seeking a Labourer To work 5 days per week 8 hours per day Salary $6.50 per hour Please Contact: 347-5954

NADIA ASTWOOD

THREADS LTD

Is seeking to employ a live-in maid Basic salary $6.50 per hour Contact: 2321634

SEEKS

New Era Construction

Island Bargains is Expanding and We Need You! We are looking for an Assistant Manager A Successful Candidate will have: •at least 10 years experience in the shipping business •excellent spoken and written English •strong leadership capabilities •a proven track record of customer service •a knowledge of Local Customs processes •a strong aptitude for Computers •excellent mechanical abilities •sound financial reporting abilities Starting Salary is $4000/mo plus an incentive program.

Please submit resumes to provo@islandbargains.com

1 Tailors 2 Dressmakers Must have atleast 20 years experience Salary based on commission Contact 242-7211

Lillian Missick Is seeking a Labourer To work 5 day Salary: $6. 25 per hour Please Contact: 231-0890

Is seeking a carpenter To work 5 days a week 8 hours per day $9 per hour salary Please contact: 2316055

Ruth Blackman

Is seeking a Domestic Worker Pay is minimum wage Please contact 242-4805

2013 CHEVROLET AVEO COLOUR: DARK BLUE A/C, CD PLAYER, LOW MILEAGE ASKING: $10,000.00 OR NEAREST OFFER CALL: 242 356-8500 EXT.67422

ROSE MARIE HIGGS

IS SEEKING A DOMESTIC WORKER TO WORK 5 DAYS PER WEEK SALARY $6.50 PER HOUR PLEASE CONTACT: 242-6014

DOMESTIC WORKER

Willing to work 6 days per week Salary$6.25 per hour Contact: 649- 231-3617 – 232-0970

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

CARIBBEAN WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 33

CARIBBEAN NEWS

NEWS NEWS

Caribbean diplomats ask UK for more compassion for citizens

The Home Office must adopt a “more compassionate” approach towards retirement-age Commonwealth citizens facing deportation despite living in the UK all their adult lives, senior Caribbean diplomats have urged.

There could be thousands of people born in Commonwealth countries who emigrated to the UK with their parents as children and did not realise they were required to formally naturalise in Britain. Their unresolved residency status could mean they face problems accessing pensions, housing, healthcare and work, said Guy Hewitt, the Barbados high commissioner in London.

New evidence of harsh treatment by the Home Office emerged this week when officials said they “now accepted” that Anthony Bryan, 60, who has spent five weeks in immigration detention centres, was in fact “lawfully present in the UK”.

Bryan, a grandfather who has lived in the UK for 52 years, has had two spells in detention and was booked last November on a flight to Jamaica, a country he left in 1965, when he was eight, and has not visited since. The decorator lost his job in 2015 because he was unable to prove he was not an “illegal worker”, and struggled to convince the Home Office of his right to be in the UK until the Guardian highlighted his case last year.

Bryan said he was relieved

but angry at his difficulties treatment, which experienced by has left him heavily many as a tragedy. in debt because “This is affecting he was prevented people who came from working and gave a lifetime for almost three of service at a time years. “I told them when the UK was I was eight years calling for workers old when I arrived and migrants, they here, but nobody came because they believed; they were encouraged to told me I was an come here to help illegal immigrant build post-World and a criminal.

War II Britain and They locked me The Home Office now accepts that build it into the up unlawfully. It Anthony Bryan is living in the UK lawfully, multicultural place was very stressful. after booking him on a flight to Jamaica, that it is now. These It has been a which he hadn’t visited since he was are not people nightmare,” he eight who tried to take said. advantage of the

Hewitt and system. We need fellow high commissioners have raised to find a compassionate mechanism for the broader issue with the Foreign resolving this,” he said.

Office, urging officials to take a more The Jamaican high humane approach in cases like Bryan’s commissioner to London, Seth George and Paulette Wilson’s, a grandmother Ramocan, agreed. “In this system one who lived and worked in the UK for 51 is guilty before proven innocent rather years, having arrived aged 10, before than the other way around,” he said. being told she was an illegal immigrant, Since the Guardian reported being detained and threatened with on the situation faced by Bryan and forced removal to Jamaica.

Wilson, MPs, lawyers and advice

Diplomats said they were centres have highlighted numerous concerned people were reluctant to try similar cases. Some people have to regularise their situation because become homeless as a result of the of fears they might be detained or difficulties they have faced in proving deported. their right to remain in the UK. Hewitt described the While cases of detention

before removal are rare, Wilson’s case is not unique. During a visit to an immigration removal centre last year, Ramocan met a man who was on the point of being deported because he lacked sufficient evidence to prove he had spent a lifetime in the UK. The high commissioner advised him to appeal and the removal was averted.

Diplomats from former Commonwealth countries have organised outreach meetings in areas where there were high levels of immigration from the Caribbean in the 1950s and 60s to inform people about the requirement to naturalise. Many are unaware of the need to regularise their status, partly because they were children when they arrived and also because the rules were less stringent then.

The burden of proving that residency predates the 1971 Immigration Act is on the individual, and it is often hard to gather a detailed paper trail showing school and employment records.

“These are not people who are seeking to be illegal. They came to contribute to the wellbeing of the UK,” Ramocan said. “It would be in the best interest of all for there to be a more compassionate approach.”

Usually, entry documents to the UK were marked with permanent right to reside stamps, but children were often included on other people’s passports, or have lost their documents.

Corruption On The Rise In The Caribbean

Caribbean islands battered by stormy seas

Corruption is on the rise in Latin America and the Caribbean, says Transparency International, an organization dedicated to fighting corruption on a global scale.

The agency described corruption as a scourge that hurts ordinary people every day across the region, which when they speak out about it, far too often they face retaliation. Almost two thirds of people that Transparency International surveyed for Latin America and the Caribbean said that corruption had risen in the 12 months prior to when they were questioned in October 2017. More than half, 53 percent, said that their government is failing to address corruption.

Transparency International recently released its Corruption Perceptions Index for 2017, which ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption according to experts and businesspeople.

The organization said, “This year, the index found that more than two-thirds of countries score below 50, with an average score of 43. Unfortunately, compared to recent years, this poor performance is nothing new.

Corruption continued to dominate headlines across the world in 2017. It ended political careers, motivated citizens

The ‘nor’easter’ storm that hit the United States and Canada last week may now have cleared North America, but its legacy is still being felt further south.

The deep area of low pressure, which brought flooding rain and damaging winds to the US, blew strong northerly winds over vast stretches of open water before reaching the coasts of the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

It was a ‘perfect storm’ for high seas; strong winds, a long fetch (the uninterrupted distance over which the waves travelled) and spring high tides.

The steady winds induced

to organize and advocate for reform, and was spurred by another major leak of documents revealing money laundering and elite capture in the Paradise Papers. It is one of the most challenging open government topics facing the world today.”

Four Eastern Caribbean countries made the Corruption Perceptions Index list for 2017: St Vincent and the Grenadines ranked #40, Dominica #42, Saint Lucia #48 and Grenada ranked #52. Barbados, at #25, had the highest corruption ranking in the immediate region.

Jamaica was ranked #68, Trinidad and Tobago #77 and Guyana #91.

Topping the Transparency International corruption perception list for 2017 was New Zealand, followed by Denmark and Finland respectively. Canada and the United Kingdom were ranked #8, the United States #16, Spain #42, and China #77.

This year’s Corruption Perceptions Index highlights that the majority of countries are making little or no progress in ending corruption, while further analysis shows journalists and activists in corrupt countries risking their lives every day in an effort to speak out.

Transparency International said one in five of the journalists killed since 2012 were covering a corruption story.

a swell of six metres, with waves reportedly as high as 10 metres - on top of that.

In Puerto Rico, people had to be evacuated from their homes along the north coast as roads were inundated by seawater. Schools were closed, affecting 6,000 children.

There were reports of docks being damaged, as well as a boatyard in Catano.

Much of Puerto Rico is still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which struck the island as a Category 4 hurricane in September last year. Sixty-four Puerto Ricans died, and the island suffered catastrophic damage estimated at $94bn.

Caribbean islands battered by stormy seas

If you’ve ever dreamt of Gorda. living on a private island full-time, According to the job listing then Virgin’s new job opening might posted on LinkedIn, this opportunity be for you. isn’t for everyone, “despite the

Richard Branson’s company sunshine,” as it will require a lot of is hiring an assistant to live and work. Responsibilities will include work on the CEO’s Necker Island “diary and email management, in the Caribbean. The person who general correspondence, filing lands this entry level role will serve and archiving, booking travel and as both personal assistant to the providing cover for Richard’s PA island’s general manager, as well when they’re on holiday, amongst a as administrative assistant for whole host of other admin-related Branson’s office, all while residing on tasks,” the description reads. the 74-acre property north of Virgin

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

US-based company defends multibillion dollar investment in Bahamas

President of the USbased Oban Energies, Satpal Dhunna, is defending the heads of agreement signed with the Bahamas government for the construction of a US$5.5 billion oil refinery and storage facility on Grand Bahama.

“I’m now on the ground in The Bahamas and my directive from the Oban Energies board of directors and advisory board is that ‘best of The Bahamas’ and ‘Bahamian’ should become our trademark,”Dhunna said in a newspaper advertisement amid concerns of opposition to the deal.

Opposition Leader Phillip Davis says a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) would not continue with the project if it wins the next general election.

“When we are in office, we will have to see where they are with this project. We have to see whether or not it has been cleaned up. That will be whenever the election is called.

“If it remains as it is today and we are in the same position that we are in today, the answer is it is more likely that we will not continue with this project than to continue with the project,” he told reporters earlier this week.

But in the newspaper advertisement titled “A tide of opportunity rising for Grand

Bahama”, Dhunna urged “Satpal Dhunna”.

Bahamians “never mind the The media reports said noise in the market, you mind that Krieger has in recent years the price of the fish. ran afoul of US laws.

“That’s what we’re doing, Prime Minister Minnis taking time to build strong and last week tabled the agreement build to last. The Bahamianizing in the Parliament. process has begun at ground level In the advertisement, through forging partnerships the US-based company said that with Bahamian companies, it intends to inject US$35 million which have gained highest into the Grand Bahama economy. respect for their expertise and “In the construction probity” phase alone, Oban Energies He said several intends to inject over $35 million Bahamian companies were into the Grand Bahamian already engaged for coastal and community through contributions other environmental processes, to national insurance, community some of the companies involved development initiatives, housing, have an internal track record. lease premium and rental

While the advertisement payments, research, education did not address the recent and training. controversy surrounding the “Foreign direct project, Dhunna said “we investment is slated to yield a are employing local talent total capital expenditure of a straight through, engaging local projected $5.5 billion through suppliers and creating housing, foreign investors and financial which provides for long-term and institutions, making Oban sustainable economic benefits.”

Energies’ project one of the

Media reports here largest foreign direct investments said that when the heads across the Caribbean,” the of agreement was signed on advertisement noted.

February 19, video footage later It said “overall, the showed that Oban non-executive projected increase in FDI chairman, Peter Krieger, who (foreign direct investment) net sat next to Prime Minister Dr. inflow could make The Bahamas Hubert Minnis, did not sign his number one in real GDP growth name on the document, and that across Latin America and the signature on the agreement Caribbean.” spears to read “

Queen’s Park Savannah for Trinidad Presidential inauguration

The country’s first female President, Justice PaulaMae Weekes, will take her oath of office in a public inauguration ceremony to be held at the Queen’s Park Savannah on March 19.

The official announcement was made by the Office of the President yesterday.

Weekes was elected unopposed by the Electoral College comprising members of the House of Representatives and the Senate as the country’s sixth President on January 19 and received her instrument of election at a brief ceremony at the Parliament Chamber on January 27.

The President-elect confessed to feeling “honoured, humbled” when she received the news that she had been chosen as the new Head of State.

In an interview with the media shortly after receiving her instruments, Weekes said the question was asked of her what she brings to the table as

President. Having “thought and thought about it,” she said “my eventual answer is, cutlery to deal with matters on my plate, a basketful of the fruit of the spirit and grace before meals.”

The President-elect has already admitted to being concerned about crime “a particular interest I suppose because all of my career I have spent in criminal law,” but she is also concerned about young people, “so I think to start off, leaving room for anything else that may step into the spotlight, I think youth and crime are my immediate concerns.”

The issues are expected to take centre stage in her inaugural address at the Grand Stand of the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Members of the public who want to witness the historic inauguration have been advised by the Office of the President that they must present an invitation for the function. Invitations will be available at

President-elect Paula Mae Weekes the offices of the 41 Members of Parliament, or at the box offices of the National Academy for the Performing Arts (Napa) and Southern National Academy for the Performing Arts (Sapa). The Office of the President said it will advise when the invitations are available.

Ganja licences issued for medicinal purposes only, insists CLA

As the number of CLA in a release today. ganja licenses issued by the The CLA said the need Cannabis Licensing Authority for clarification came after a (CLA) increases, the authority newspaper article published has sought to dispel any last week Wednesday stated misconceptions surrounding the that ganja license holder, Kaya, use of the drug for recreation. “will provide medicinal and “Anecdotal evidence suggests recreational ganja to locals and that as the number of licenses tourists. Since last year, Kaya issued by the Cannabis Licensing Inc has been recruiting staff for Authority (CLA) for medicinal its ganja wellness centre and cannabis industry increases, so café.” has the level of misconceptions “The Authority would surrounding its use for like to make clear that the recreational purposes,” said the statement by the Gleaner

as it relates to the licensee being granted a licence for the recreational sale of cannabis is erroneous and unfortunate.

The Authority would like to further reiterate the fact that all licences granted are for medicinal purposes only and not for recreational,” stated the ganja authority,” said the CLA.

The CLA further informed that non-compliance with the provisions of the licence comes at a cost.

UK ill-prepared to help after Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated Caribbean

Parts of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands were destroyed by Hurricane Irma

The Government was ill-prepared to help British overseas territories after hurricanes wreaked havoc in Caribbean, MPs have said.

The lack of an international disaster relief strategy when Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck last September was “regrettable,” the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee said.

It also voiced concerns about the Government’s ability to respond to future natural disasters amid further cuts to the Royal Navy.

The overseas territories of Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands were caught in the trail of devastation left

by Irma while Maria hit the Commonwealth island of Dominica.

Mounts Bay - the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship which had been stationed in the region since July - arrived in Anguilla two days after the storm made landfall, bringing humanitarian supplies and disaster relief teams.

But it was another two weeks before a joint military task force on the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean reached the disaster zone.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Josephine Connor, former adviser to the chief minister of Anguilla, told Sky News the Government’s response had been “appalling” and it had left people on the ground feeling like “thirdclass citizens”.

The committee said the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) had accepted there were “lessons to be learned” and called for the development of an international disaster relief strategy for the region.

“Given the Caribbean’s vulnerability to hurricanes we would have expected the FCO already to have had a good understanding of the resources available and an agreed collaborative international strategy in place,” it said.

HMS Ocean has since been sold to Brazil for £84m and the committee said the FCO should ensure the needs of overseas territories were considered in decisions about the future of the navy and assets were dedicated to the disaster response role.

Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat said: “Ministers need to offer the UK’s overseas territories a more structured response in any such future event.

“The overseas territories in the Caribbean were known to be vulnerable to the risk of hurricanes.

“With six territories in relatively close proximity, the FCO should have an agreed, collaborative, international strategy ready to go.”

The FCO said the destructive force of Irma and Maria was “unprecedented” and it had faced one of its “most complex crises” in modern times.

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CARIBBEAN NEWS New Airline to provide connecting Caribbean flights to ST. Croix and ST. Thomas

InterCaribbean Airways

InterCaribbean Airways, a Turks and Caicos airline operating for over 26 years, announced new flights that include nonstop scheduled services from Dominica to St. Lucia and Tortola, with onestop easy connections via Tortola to St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Maarten, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Providenciales in Turks and Caicos and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

The new InterCaribbean Airways flights allow for travelers to make two-stop connections to Kingston, Jamaica and Nassau, Bahamas. “Even allowing for two stops this is still one of the fastest travel times in the Caribbean,” InterCaribbean said in a recently issued release. The flights will begin on March 22.

With the new flights, InterCaribbean, which operates EMB 120, Twin Otter aircraft and shortly ERJ145 planes, now connects the Turks & Caicos Islands, Antigua, the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, the Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Croix, Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Maarten. Domestic flights are operated in the Turks & Caicos Islands, as well as in Jamaica between Kingston and Montego Bay, according to the release.

The announcement, made on February 22, preceded that of Liat, which, after halting flights to the U.S. Virgin Islands in February 2017, will announce its return to the territory — albeit only to St. Thomas — during a press conference in St. Thomas on Monday at the lieutenant governor’s office.

Cayman to create organ donor registry

Five years after legislation passed supporting human organ and tissue harvesting and transplants in Cayman, the government has produced regulations to the law that will make it easier for the medical procedures to be performed here.

The Human Tissue Transplant Regulations have been drafted and are now being put out for a 60-day comment period before the enabling legislation takes effect.

In practice, a small number of tissue transplant surgeries have been performed in Cayman. However, tissues or organs cannot currently be harvested here due to the lack of a human tissue registry, and sourcing them from overseas can be a complex and time-consuming process. Often, patients find they must go overseas to either obtain the needed tissue or for the surgeries, or both.

Following the public comment period and approval by Cabinet, a Human Tissue Transplant Council will be appointed. The council members will create a register that not only allows organs and tissues donated to be kept in Cayman, but which would also allow the British Overseas Territory to become part of an international donation network for human tissue.

“The ability to have a transplant center on island will make an immeasurable difference to patients who face organ failure or require organ/ tissue donation,” said Health Minister Dwayne Seymour.

Tissue donation will only be done on a voluntary basis. Under the law, tissues or organs will be harvested from a deceased person only if a licensed medical practitioner is satisfied that the person gave consent to do so while they were still alive.

Jamaica PM concerned about rising hunger in Caribbean

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed grave concerns about the rise in hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean over the last 20 years, which he noted is an encumbrance to protracted growth and development of the region’s economies.

“A core component of improving the well-being and quality of life of citizens is food security; that is, and to use the FAO’s (Food and Agriculture Organisation’s) definition, when all people, at all times, have the Prime Minister Andrew Holness physical, economic and social solutions to secure both, to access to adequate, safe and put these two sectors in sync nutritious food to meet their food — a necessary component for preferences and dietary needs sustainable development,” Prime for a healthy and active life. Yet, Minister Holness argued. for the first time in two decades, He also batted for the hunger is on the rise in Latin agricultural sector to embrace America and the Caribbean. We technology and promote cannot achieve sustained growth partnerships to maximise food and development with this production. troubling trend,” Holness said.

“While we cannot deny

He was speaking at the the close relationship between opening ceremony of the FAO’s traditional culture and many of 35th Regional Conference for our agricultural practices, we Latin America and the Caribbean must continue to appreciate at the Montego Bay Convention the exponential value that can Centre in Rose Hall, St James, be created when we infuse our yesterday. agricultural techniques and

Noting that energy processes with technology,” he security is food security, the said. prime minister suggested He further noted: lowering high energy cost as “Tourism is a significant industry one of the three actions that are for many of our economies, and critical to addressing hunger and we need to improve the linkages malnutrition, rural development, with this industry and others, and climate resilience and including agriculture. Jamaica’s sustainable agriculture.

Tourism Linkages Network

“We are addressing the epitomises this very idea of crucial nexus between energy and promoting partnerships, where food security and finding hoteliers of varying sizes are

accessing local food markets to meet their needs. The ripple effects of such a linkage are varied: Expansion in employment, especially in rural Jamaica; expansion in the agro-industry; investments in technology to not only increase yield, but to produce high-quality food; and the list goes on.”

In the meantime, according to Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Karl Samuda, this is the first time that all 33 member states are represented at the regional conference, which also saw a record 337 delegates in attendance.

The conference is only returning to the Caribbean for the first time in two decades. Jamaica last hosted the conference 50 years ago.

Prime Minister Holness expressed that he is encouraged by the strong turnout at the conference.

“I am heartened by the tremendous interest in this conference by the record number of participants here, and indeed, the fact that for the first time ever there are observers from the private sector,” he remarked.

“We are grateful to the FAO for its continued support as we transform and modernise our agricultural sector. We are confident that this conference will further serve to deepen our partnership and help to achieve the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly goal number two: zero hunger,” he said.

CDB and FAO strengthen partnership with new agreement The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on Monday signed an agreement to strengthen their partnership to help countries in the Region achieve key development goals in agriculture.

The Framework Cooperation Agreement makes provisions for CDB to partner with FAO to provide technical assistance for projects financed by the Bank. It will also allow countries with common membership in both organisations to directly engage FAO using loan or grant funds provided by CDB.

“CDB welcomes this new Agreement, which will broaden and strengthen collaboration between our Bank and FAO, which has been ongoing since 1986.

Today, through the signing of this document, we are opening the door for our regional members to achieve even greater development gains in agriculture through our partnership,” said Daniel Best, Director of Projects, CDB, who signed the Agreement on behalf of the Bank.

“We need closer ties between FAO and other development partners such as the development banks, if we are to tackle the main challenges

Lystra Fletcher-Paul, Subregional Representative for the Caribbean that threaten regional food security – rising hunger and overweight, rural poverty and climate change”, said Lystra Fletcher-Paul, FAO’s Subregional Representative for the Caribbean.

For more than three decades, CDB and FAO have partnered on several interventions, including the development of an Agricultural Water Investment Plan for Belize; a study on the Feasibility of Rainwater Harvesting in the Caribbean; an Evaluation of Greenhouse Technology in Crop Production; and studies in

support of CDB’s preparation and appraisal of agricultural development projects in Jamaica.

During the signing ceremony, Best also announced that CDB and FAO are collaborating on a study, “The State of Agriculture in the Caribbean”, scheduled for completion in May. It will detail key trends in agriculture in the Bank’s borrowing member countries, and highlight related opportunities for investments to support social and economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainability.

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WORLD

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NEWS

Philippines’ Duterte says ‘not in a million years’ does ICC have right to try him

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said there is no chance of him going on trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), because “not in a million years” would it have jurisdiction to indict him.

The fiery-tempered leader is the subject of a Philippine lawyer’s complaint to the ICC accusing him of making killing “best practice” in his ferocious 19-month-old war on drugs.

The ICC last month said it had started a preliminary examination to establish whether it had jurisdiction, and if crimes against humanity had been committed.

“You cannot acquire jurisdiction over me, not in a million years,” Duterte said in a speech late on Tuesday.

He added: “Believe it. They cannot ever, ever hope to acquire jurisdiction over my person.”

Duterte has previously called the ICC “useless” and “hypocritical”, the kind of comments that have maintained his appeal among voters drawn by his defiance and maverick

style.

Though he says he would be open to any investigations by the United Nations and ICC, he last week told security forces they should not cooperate with them.

The ICC is a court of last resort and only steps in when a government is found to be unwilling or unable to do so.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque predicted that the ICC would find it had no jurisdiction in the Philippines and no crime to investigate.

“Because Philippine courts are able and willing, the International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction,” Roque said in a regular news briefing.

“When it comes to merit, the war against drugs cannot be considered a crime against humanity,” he said, describing the campaign as a legitimate and with a clear purpose.

The government denies activists’ allegations that drug dealers and users are being systematically targeted for execution.

Police say they have killed

Cuba’s Capitol reopens after years of restoration

People visit the Capitol building in Havana, Cuba, March 1, 2018

After eight years of restoration work, Cuba on Thursday re-opened to the public the doors of its Capitol, an imposing neoclassical gem previously shunned as a symbol of U.S. imperialism now to become the seat of its national assembly.

Built in 1929 to house Cuba’s Congress and inspired by Washington’s Capitol, it was swiftly repurposed after Fidel Castro’ 1959 leftist revolution along with other buildings seen as testament to corrupt governments too cozy with the Americans.

Most recently used for the Science and Technology Ministry, its restoration was started in 2010 as part of the Office of City Historian’s revamp of Havana, one of the architectural treasures of Latin America.

Four years later came the landmark announcement of a U.S.-Cuban detente by Cuban President Raul Castro and former U.S. President Barack Obama, although that is now under threat from the more hostile stance of the administration of Donald Trump.

“This is one of the most illustrious architectonic works in the world,” Tomás Hechavarría, Capitol administrator, standing in the main hall under the cupola with its gleaming inlaid marble floors and gilded lamps, dominated by the 57 feet (17.5-meter) tall bronze Statue of the Republic.

Hechavarría said the building was ready to receive the next assembly session - a historic one on April 19 to select a new president, set to be the first non-Castro leader in nearly 60 years. It was not a done decision yet, however, he added.

Restoration work continues just in the southern part of the Capitol and should conclude by Nov. 2019, Hechavarría said.

Built 103 years after the U.S. Capitol, the Cuban building’s dome is 12 feet (3.7 meters) taller at 300 feet (92 meters) and has a distinctly different floor plan. Its design is tailored to Cuba’s tropical weather, such as multiple patios to maximize air circulation.

Visitors will be allowed to tour the Capitol in groups of 15 from Tuesday to Sunday.

“This installation encapsulates a lot of history and it is a privilege for me to be here in Havana and reliving these moments of history,” said Yordanka Batista, a Cuban-American who lives in Florida.“They neglected it for a while and I’m glad they have recovered it, for the benefit of all Cubans.”

Relations between the United States and Cuba have deteriorated once more since Trump became president, seeking to roll back parts of the detente and returning to Cold war characterizations of the Cuban government.

about 4,100 drug dealers, in shootouts, but have no ties to unidentified armed men who have killed hundreds of drug users.

Duterte has also said the Philippines’ ICC membership might be invalid on a domestic level, because Manila’s 2011 accession to the ICC’s Rome Statute was not announced in the country’s official gazette.

Duterte gave a speech lasting well over an hour on Wednesday, focusing heavily on justifying his antinarcotics campaign, blasting human rights groups and again questioning the ICC’s remit.

“I take full legal responsibility for things that are happening, intended or not intended. I’m here to protect my country,” he said, to big applause.

“I believe if I stop this crusade it would have compromised this country, and the next generation, and it would have been my failure.”

In Geneva, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, rebuked Duterte on several fronts, criticizing

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, wearing a military uniform, gestures as he attends the 67th founding anniversary of the First Scout Ranger regiment in San Miguel town, Bulacan province, north of Manila, Philippines November 24, 2017 his “vilification” of a U.N. special rapporteur, his instruction to police to not cooperate, and “deepening repression and increasing threats” to those with dissenting or independent views.

“This authoritarian approach to governance threatens to irreparably damage 30 years of commendable efforts by the Philippines to strengthen the rule of law and respect for the human rights,” he said.

Stormy Daniels sues Trump over ‘hush agreement’

Adult-film actress Stormy Daniels sued President Donald Trump on Tuesday, alleging he never signed a nondisclosure agreement to keep her quiet about an “intimate” relationship between them.

Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles claiming the agreement is invalid and she is free to publicly discuss her relationship with Trump.

The lawsuit, which Clifford’s attorney Michael Avenatti published in a tweet, says that she signed both the agreement and a side letter using her stage name on October 28, 2016, Adult-film actress Stephanie Clifford, days before the 2016 U.S. presidential also known as Stormy Daniels, poses for election. pictures at the end of her striptease show

Trump’s attorney Michael in Gossip Gentleman club in Long Island, Cohen signed the document the same New York, U.S., February 23, 2018 day, but Trump never signed the document, the lawsuit claims. with Trump after they met at a Lake

The “hush agreement” as it is Tahoe golf tournament in 2006, not called in the lawsuit refers to Trump long after Trump’s wife, Melania, had as David Dennison and Clifford given birth to their son, Barron. as Peggy Peterson. The side letter Cohen has said he paid agreement reveals the true identities Clifford $130,000 of his own money of the parties as Clifford and Trump, in 2016, the year Trump was elected according to the lawsuit. president, but said neither the Trump

Clifford asks in the lawsuit Organization nor Trump’s campaign for the Los Angeles County Superior was a party to the transaction, though Court to declare the agreement he declined to say publicly what it and side agreement invalid and was for. unenforceable.

The lawsuit said the 2016

The White House did not hush agreement called for $130,000 immediately respond to a request to be paid into the trust account of for comment. Avenatti was not Clifford’s then-attorney. In return, immediately available for comment.

Clifford was not to disclose any

According to the lawsuit, confidential information about Trump.

Clifford and Trump had an intimate The suit alleges Cohen has relationship that lasted from the tried to keep Clifford from talking summer of 2006 well into 2007, about the relationship as recently as including meetings in Lake Tahoe Feb. 27, 2018. and at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

“The attempts to intimidate

Daniels was quoted in a 2011 Ms. Clifford into silence and ‘shut interview with In Touch Weekly her up’ in order to ‘protect Mr. Trump’ magazine that she had an affair continue unabated,” the lawsuit said.

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WORLD NEWS

Puerto Ricans still stranded in hotels 6 months after storm

From the lobby of a hotel on the housing assistance from the Federal outskirts of Boston, Jesenia Flores fills Emergency Management Agency. That out an online job application, hoping to help has been renewed repeatedly, but find work that will get her small family it’s now scheduled to end for everyone back to normal for the first time since March 20. Without financial support, Hurricane Maria flooded their home in they will have nowhere to go, many Puerto Rico. storm victims say.

The hotel along the interstate “I could end up on the street has been a refuge for her and other just as I’m trying to get back on my Puerto Rican families, but it’s feet,” said Pujol, 23, who earns money frustrating “to be cooped up here by cleaning hotel rooms. Her husband without knowing what will happen to is disabled and cannot work. us,” the 19-year-old mother said as her Dozens of Puerto Ricans 15-month-old son squirmed and cried interviewed by The Associated Press in her lap. expressed similar fears as the deadline

Danaliz Pujol is staying in a loomed. Many are poor, living on fixed hotel, too, near Orlando, Florida. She incomes or getting by in low-wage jobs. and her husband are trying to find an They have no relatives who can help affordable apartment to replace the one or savings to fall back on, and they did in Puerto Rico that was damaged in the not own their homes. storm and then rented to someone else Some like Flores struggle to after they fled to the mainland. She find work because they don’t speak looks every day, “but there’s nothing,” English well. Others have children she said. with special medical or educational

And then there is Carmen needs.

Acosta, who longs to go home from “To start all over again is the hotel where she has been living in really hard,” said Ivette Ramirez, Puerto Rico with 40 families displaced whose home in the Puerto Rican city by the storm. She received $4,000 from of Bayamon was flooded by the worst the federal government to repair her storm to strike the island in decades. nearby house, but the work has been The restaurant where she and her slow because it includes removing husband worked was destroyed. She black mold that quickly spread in the is now staying in a hotel in Dedham, tropical heat.

Massachusetts, with aid from FEMA.

Nearly six months after the So far, FEMA has provided storm, almost 10,000 Puerto Ricans $113 million in rental assistance to scattered across 37 states and the 129,000 people who were in Maria’s U.S. territory still receive temporary path across the island. Puerto Rico

Former student indicted on 17 counts of murder in Florida school shooting

A Florida grand jury formally indicted Nikolas Cruz on Wednesday on 17 counts of premeditated murder in the first degree and 17 counts of attempted murder in the first degree for last month’s shooting spree at a high school in Parkland, prosecutors said.

No date was set for an arraignment, at which Cruz will be allowed to enter a plea, said Constance Simmons, a spokeswoman for the Broward County state attorney’s office.

The 19-year-old former student is accused of using a semiautomatic assault rifle to kill 17 students and faculty members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 14.

He faces a maximum sentence of either execution or life in prison without parole if convicted. The public defender’s office in Broward County has said Cruz was willing to plead guilty if county prosecutors choose not to pursue the death penalty.

Gov. Ricardo Rossello has asked for the deadline to be extended to May 14, and the government says it is reviewing the request.

Nonprofit groups, churches and state and local governments have also provided temporary housing help and other forms of support to the tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans who fled

Japan’s navy appoints first woman to command warship squadron

Newly-appointed Commander of First Escort Division of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Ryoko Azuma (2nd L), who is the first female commander of a navy destroyer squadron in Japan, salutes to soldiers on JMSDF’s helicopter carrier Izumo at a port in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan March 6, 2018 Nikolas Cruz

The prosecutors’ office has said a decision on this has not yet been made, according to Simmons.

The attack, one of the deadliest at a school in a country where school shootings happen multiple times a year, has reignited a national debate about overhauling gun laws in Florida and beyond.

Ex-lawyers for rap’s ‘Suge’ Knight accused of witness bribery Two former lawyers for rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight were indicted on charges of conspiracy to bribe potential witnesses in his upcoming murder trial, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said on Monday.

M a t t h e w Fletcher and Thaddeus

Jesenia Flores holds her son Jose, both of Aibonito, Puerto Rico, as they wait to enter her mother-in-law’s hotel room, in Dedham, Mass. Nearly six months after Hurricane Maria, thousands of Puerto Ricans are still staying in hotels. It’s frustrating

to the mainland in the aftermath of the Sept. 20 storm.

Several Massachusetts groups helped Maria Reyes when her FEMA hotel assistance ended after two months. She was able to move from one hotel near Boston to another while caring for her 7-year-old grandson.

Her former home in San Juan public housing has been deemed habitable, but she wants to stay on the mainland to get better medical care.

She doesn’t know how long she will be able to stay in this hotel, or where she will go next.

“I can’t live like this with a little kid,” the 55-year-old said. “I need more time. I need God to hear me.”

Noe Casiano came to Florida with his wife and three children, including one born with severe birth defects a day before the storm swept across the island and flooded their apartment in a public housing complex near San Juan.

Their FEMA benefits ended when their home was approved for habitation, but their newborn was getting emergency treatment in St. Petersburg. For a week, they slept all together in the hospital, but they have since moved to a nearby shelter. They still don’t want to go back to Puerto Rico, where the family believes their daughter won’t get the treatment she needs because medical specialists are scarce on the island following a 10-year economic crisis.

Culpepper were accused of trying to pay off people to provide favorable testimony at Knight’s trial for murder charges stemming from a fatal Los Angeles hit-andrun, prosecutors said in a statement.

Culpepper said the charges in a Jan. 24 grand jury indictment

were “pure retaliation” by prosecutors.

“We’ve come very close to being able to prove criminal procedural fraud on their part,” Culpepper said of the district attorney’s office, declining to provide further details on his allegations.

Japan’s navy on Tuesday to make up a shortfall in personnel as appointed the first woman to command the nation’s working age population a warship squadron, including the shrinks amid a drop in birthrates. flagship Izumo helicopter carrier, as The number of people aged between it tries to lure more females to make 18 and 26 years old is forecast by the up for a dearth of male recruits in government to shrink to seven million people by 2065 from 11 million last graying Japan.

Ryoko Azuma, will command year.

Unlike commercial companies, four ships with a combined crew of 1,000, of which only 30 are women, however, Japan’s military is unable that make up the Maritime Self to relocate units overseas or hire Defense Force’s (MSDF) First Escort foreigners to supplement to their Division.

Japanese staff.

“I don’t think about being a By 2030, the SDF plans to woman. I will concentrate my energy increase the combined number of on fulfilling my duties as commander,” women serving in the air sea and Azuma, 44, said at a change of ground forces to 9 percent of the total command ceremony attended by 400 from 6 percent, or 14,000 people now. sailors aboard the Izumo, which was In addition to Azuma, other senior docked at a shipyard in Yokohama female officers in the MSDF include four captains and a rear admiral in near Tokyo for repairs.

When she joined the MSDF in charge of logistics.

“I want to devote myself to 1996 women were barred from serving on warships, a rule that the navy becoming a person that will inspire abolished ten years ago. Submarines, others,” Azuma said when asked if however, are still crewed only by men. she wanted to serve as a role model

Japan’s military, like the for other women. wider economy is turning to women

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MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

WORLD NEWS

Macron’s plan for packed French jails: more cells, fewer inmates

France will build thousands of new jail cells and use electronic tagging more widely under reforms being pursued by President Emmanuel Macron to remedy some of the worst prison overcrowding in Europe and protests by wardens over violence.

France’s prison population of 69,000 is the fifth-largest in Europe, after Russia, Turkey, Poland and Britain, World Prison Brief data compiled by a London university shows.

But French jails are more overcrowded than those in Britain, with an average 115 inmates per 100 places. In some Paris area jails there are reports of inmates sleeping on floors with three or more prisoners squeezed into a cell.

To address that, Macron pledged to promote outside-of-prison alternatives for lesser offenders.

“Prison sentences are not there to respond to society’s emotions,” Macron said, warning that prison

sometimes created “monsters”. “A government offered 30 million euros convicted individual is meant to return for better training and pay, as well as moves to isolate Islamist militants to society.”

Prison sentences of less than from other prisoners. With his latest a month will be banned, the 40-year- announcement, Macron is promising to old president, elected in May last go further. spokesman year, said. Those between one and six Government months will be mostly served at home Benjamin Griveaux said about one with electronic tagging, thus shrinking in three prisoners are behind bars for less than a year — some of whom jail capacity needs.

Drug use will be punished with could benefit from alternatives to fines rather than prison time, he added. incarceration.

“For many of these people,

However, it was only technically possible to add 7,000 news going to prison is the best way to cells over the time of his mandate to ensure they become repeat offenders,” tackle overcrowding, he said, less than he told RMC radio.

Griveaux described the the 15,000 he promised during his current system as incomprehensible, campaign.

The changes, presented by not least because first-time offenders Macron during a visit to southeast who receive sentences of less than two France on Tuesday, follow a rash of years very rarely actually go to prison attacks by inmates that triggered — a custom Macron says he will end.

“Nobody understands how protests by guards, who said violence things work anymore,” Griveaux said. was spinning out of control.

Britain and the United States,

The protests eased when the

Sick Venezuelans flee to Colombia in mounting refugee crisis

In a cramped hospital near Colombia’s border with Venezuela, migrants fill stretchers bearing the wounds of the deteriorating nation they left behind.

An 18-year-old woman rubbed her swollen belly after fleeing with her infant daughter when the wounds from her C-section began to ooze pus. A young man whose femur had torn through his skin in a motorcycle crash needed antibiotics for an infection. An elderly retiree with a swollen foot arrived after taking a 20-hour bus ride from Caracas because doctors there told his family the only treatment they could offer was amputation — without anesthesia or antibiotics.

“If you want to sign, sign.

But we are not responsible for the life of your father,” Teresa Tobar, 36, quoted the doctors in Venezuela as telling her when they handed over the papers to authorize her father’s surgery.

As Venezuela’s economic crisis worsens, rising numbers are fleeing in a burgeoning refugee crisis that is drawing alarm across Latin America.

Independent groups estimate that as many as 3 million to 4 million Venezuelans have abandoned their homeland in recent years, with several hundred thousand departing in 2017 alone.

Many of those migrants are arriving by foot in Colombia and landing in the Andean nation’s emergency rooms with urgent medical conditions that Venezuelan hospitals can no longer treat.

According to health officials, Venezuelans made nearly 25,000 visits to Colombian ERs last year, up from just 1,500 in 2015. At hospitals in border cities like Cucuta, patients are packed side by side on stretchers that spill into hallways, not much unlike the deplorable conditions they fled back home. Authorities project that Venezuelan admissions to Colombian hospitals could double

French President Emmanuel Macron listens during a visit to a prison guard school (Ecole Nationale d’Administration Penitentiaire - ENAP) in Agen, France, March 6, 2018 the country with the world’s largest prisoner population, have increasingly resorted to the privatization of prisons and correctional facilities to lower costs and improve efficiency.

UK parliament will not be able to overturn EU referendum: Brexit minister

Venezuelan Grecia Sabala cries as she talks about her medical condition in 2018 and say the nation’s allow humanitarian aid to enter already overstretched public the struggling nation, denying health system is unprepared to there is a crisis and contending handle the sudden swell. that permitting international

“We are not in a relief could pave the way for position to assume the cost of foreign intervention. But what the comprehensive care for the little data officials have released migrants arriving,” said Julio indicates Venezuelans are facing Saenz, an adviser on migrant mounting health challenges. affairs to Colombia’s Health Cases of infant and maternal Ministry. “That’s a very big mortality have risen sharply and concern.” long-eradicated maladies like The Venezuelans diphtheria have re-emerged. are fleeing an increasingly At least one Venezuelan authoritarian government child has died in Colombia from that has been unable to halt malnutrition, seeking treatment skyrocketing inflation that too late, and officials say many renders wages nearly worthless others are arriving dangerously and forces millions to go hungry. underweight.

In Cucuta, ground zero for an Health officials are exodus that has spread across particularly concerned about Latin America, migrants say their the spread of infectious diseases. nation’s rapidly deteriorating Authorities confirmed numerous health system is also forcing cases of malaria, tuberculosis and them to leave as everything from HIV among Venezuelan migrants simple antibiotics to critical last year. chemotherapy drugs become hard “It’s increasing the to find or impossible to afford. numbers of some illnesses that

“I said to myself, ’I have we had under control,” Saenz nowhere else to go,’” recalled said.

Grecia Sabala, a 32-year- By law, Colombia’s old mother who journeyed to hospitals are required to treat Colombia seeking treatment for any person, local or foreign, who cervical cancer after doctors in shows up at an emergency room.

Venezuela were unable to provide But many Venezuelans are chemotherapy and her city’s only arriving with chronic conditions radiation machine broke. “I’m like cancer and diabetes that going to the border to look for a require expensive, continuing cure.” care. Health institutions in

Venezuelan President Colombia are not required to Nicolas Maduro has refused to provide those treatments.

Britain’s Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis arrives In Downing Street in London, March 6, 2018

Parliament will not be able thwart Brexit by using a vote expected later this year on the final deal negotiated with the European Union to overturn the result of the 2016 referendum, Brexit minister David Davis said on Tuesday.

With just over a year left until Britain is due to leave the EU, opponents of Brexit are exploring ways to stop what they call Britain’s biggest mistake since World War Two.

They have identified winning enough support in the lower house of parliament, the House of Commons, to block any possible deal the government brings back from Brussels as their best chance of overturning Brexit.

But Davis told a committee of lawmakers: “I don’t view a meaningful vote as overruling the referendum if that’s what you mean.”

British supporters of the EU say a defeat in parliament could prompt a political crisis, topple Prime Minister Theresa May, lead to a general election and a second referendum.

Former British Prime Minister John Major said last week the vote in parliament is of such national importance that politicians should vote according to their consciences, not on party lines, and that a defeat could to lead to a second vote on EU membership.

Davis also said the government would not stop planning for a no-deal Brexit scenario even if agreement on a transitional period is reached with the EU later this month.

“It’s always possible, it’s highly improbable but always possible that the deal will come apart at the end for some wholly unpredictable reason,” Davis said. “A responsible government has to be ready for that outcome.”

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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WORLD NEWS

Florida state Senate votes against arming most classroom teachers

Florida’s Republicancontrolled Senate approved sweeping reforms to the state’s gun law on Monday that raise the minimum purchase age and add a three-day waiting period in response to the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history last month.

Senators approved the legislation after an amendment removed a provision to arm most teachers. That was designed in part to increase support from many parents, law enforcement officials and lawmakers in both parties - including Republican Governor Rick Scott - who objected to the idea.

The exclusion was adopted by voice vote as part of a package of legislation the Senate passed a short time later, 20-18, to raise the minimum legal age for buying all guns in Florida to 21 and impose a three-day waiting period for any gun purchase.

The bill now moves to Florida’s Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

The minimum age for handguns nationally is already 21.

However, a person can be as young as 18 to buy a rifle in Florida, with no waiting period.

The legislation comes about a month after a gunman walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, with a semi-automatic AR-15-style assault

Messages, posted on a fence, hang, as students and parents attend a voluntary campus orientation at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, for the coming Wednesday’s reopening, following last week’s mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, U.S., February 25, 2018 rifle and opened fire, killing 17 such a plan, also advocated by the students and staff members.

NRA.

The man accused of the Under the amended Senate bill, massacre was 18 when he legally classroom teachers would be excluded purchased the rifle he used, authorities from carrying guns to work unless said. they were part of the Junior Reserve

The bill passed by the Senate Officers’ Training Corps program or represents a break with the National members of the U.S. military or former Rifle Association (NRA) gun rights police officers. Other school personnel lobby, which has resisted proposals to would be eligible to participate. raise age limits or impose new waiting A spokeswoman for the limits. governor said Scott, who was endorsed

A House committee approved by the NRA and received its highest similar legislation last week, including rating for supporting gun rights, a provision allowing sheriffs to create would review the bill in its final form voluntary programs for deputizing before deciding whether to support or school personnel as armed “marshals,” oppose it. subject to school district approval “The governor is against and special training. U.S. President arming teachers,” spokeswoman Donald Trump has voiced support for Lauren Schenone said. Scott “still has

Scientists hope to save northern white rhino from extinction

As the health of the world’s last male northern white rhino declines in Kenya, a global team of scientists and conservationists is pushing ahead with an ambitious effort to save the subspecies from extinction with the help of the two surviving females.

Participants in the project to create northern white rhino embryos through in vitro fertilization say its success depends not on the sick, elderly male named Sudan, but on his daughter Najin and granddaughter Fatu, whose eggs would likely have to be extracted because the rhinos can’t reproduce naturally. Even so, Sudan, who could be euthanized because of a leg infection, is something of a celebrity, attracting thousands of visitors to his home at Ol Pejeta Conservancy and being listed as “The Most Eligible Bachelor in the World” on the Tinder dating app last year in a fundraising effort.

“Sudan has been technically infertile for many years, so him dying is not going to affect the possibilities of recovery for the northern white rhino as a species,” Richard Vigne, the conservancy’s CEO, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Semen from dead northern white rhinos is stored in various locations around the world, and it is critical to keep the two females alive “until such time when the protocol or

wildlife ranger Zachariah Mutai takes care of Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia county in Kenya. The health of 45-year-old Sudan is deteriorating and his minders said Thursday, March 1, 2018 that his “future is not looking bright.” technique for in vitro fertilization has been perfected so that we can begin that process,” Vigne said.

In vitro fertilization is used in the cattle industry to breed more robust herds, and a Cape buffalo was conceived through IVF for the first time in 2016. However, scientists trying to effectively resurrect the northern white rhino have limited genetic material at their disposal and plan to use another subspecies, the southern white rhino, as a surrogate mother.

Contributing institutions include San Diego Zoo Global in the United States, the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin and Embryo Plus, a South African company that worked on the IVF-born buffalo. Experts met in Vienna in December 2015 to discuss stem cell and other technologies with the goal of establishing viable

populations of northern white rhinos decades in the future.

Supporters think the work could be used to help other endangered species, while some conservationists believe the focus should be on other critically endangered species, including the Javan and Sumatran rhinos, that have suffered because of poaching and human encroachment on habitats. Northern white rhinos were particularly vulnerable because of conflicts that swept their central African range; the last ones in the wild were observed more than a decade ago in Congo’s Garamba National Park, a frequent target of wellarmed poachers.

The “much-hyped” plan for rhino in vitro fertilization is probably too late to save the northern white subspecies, said Save the Rhino, a London-based group.

concerns” with the three-day waiting period, which he has opposed in the past, she said.

The Florida Senate rejected an amendment to ban assault weapons at the weekend.

The Senate bill as it was passed echoes a number of other proposals endorsed by Scott after the Feb. 14 massacre, including new powers for police to temporarily seize guns from people involuntarily committed or deemed by a court a danger to themselves or others.

It also allows police to petition a court for a “risk-protection” order barring an individual from possessing firearms if that person is judged as dangerous because of a mental illness or violent behavior.

Authorities have said the accused Parkland gunman, Nikolas Cruz, had a history of mental issues, numerous encounters with police and was expelled from the high school last year for unspecified disciplinary problems.

Federal and state law enforcement have also acknowledged receiving multiple warnings about his potential for violence before the shooting.

The Senate bill also provides nearly $400 million to pay for various school safety and mental health initiatives.

Collapsed building in Poland may have been blown up

An “intentional” attack could be the reason an apartment building collapsed in western Poland, leaving five people dead and 21 injured, a prosecutors’ spokeswoman said Monday.

The building with 18 apartments collapsed early Sunday in the western city of Poznan, most probably as a result of an explosion, authorities said.

Magdalena Mazur-Prus, a spokesman for the regional prosecutors’ office, would not confirm unofficial media reports, including by the state PAP agency, that one of the victims had been murdered before the collapse and that explosives might have been used to cover up the crime.

Still, she would not exclude that the building could have faced an “intentional” attack.

The news outlet wPolityce.pl said, citing anonymous sources, that a woman had been decapitated some time before the building crumbled.

Earlier Monday, firefighters found the body of a fifth victim in the rubble and rescued a little dog. Rescuers with trained dogs have been searching in sub-freezing temperatures through the debris since the building collapsed.

Mazur-Prus said three women and two men had died in the destroyed building.

Forensics experts were performing postmortems.

The explosion of a gas cylinder was considered to be a possible reason why the building was destroyed. Gas service to the site was cut off and the remaining part of the building was closed.

City authorities said 21 people were injured in the blast, four of whom remain hospitalized.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki sent his sympathies to the families of the victims and wishes of a quick recovery to the injured.

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BUSINESS &

TECHNOLOGY

Porsche says flying cab technology could be ready within decade

Porsche is studying flying passenger vehicles but expects it could take up to a decade to finalize technology before they can launch in real traffic, its head of development said on Tuesday.

Volkswagen’s sports-car division is in the early stages of drawing up a blueprint of a flying taxi as it ponders new mobility solutions for congested urban areas, Porsche R&D chief Michael Steiner said at the Geneva auto show.

The maker of the 911 sports car would join a raft of companies working on designs for flying cars in anticipation of a shift in the transport market toward self-driving vehicles and on-demand digital mobility services.

“We are looking into how individual mobility can take place in congested areas where today and in future it is unlikely that everyone can drive the way he wants,” Steiner said in an interview.

VW’s auto designer Italdesign and Airbus exhibited an evolved version of the two-seater flying car called Pop.Up at the Geneva show. It is designed to avoid gridlock on city roads and premiered at the annual industry gathering a year ago.

Separately, Porsche expects the cross-utility variant of its all-electric Mission E sports car to attract at least 20,000 buyers if it gets approved for production, Steiner said.

Porsche will decide later this year whether to build the Mission E Cross Turismo concept which surges to 100 kilometers per hour in less than 3.5 seconds, he said.

China Resources Beer in talks to acquire Heineken’s China business

China Resources Beer (Holdings) Co Ltd is in talks to acquire Heineken NV’s China business in a deal that could be worth more than $1 billion, as the country’s largest brewer seeks new growth from premium brands, five people close to the discussions said.

The negotiations come as global beer giants such as Heineken, AB InBev and Carlsberg are facing fierce competition from local rivals and each other in emerging markets, which have been touted as the growth engine for the world’s biggest brewers.

China is the world’s largest beer market by volume. CR Beer’s biggest brand, Snow, is the world’s top-selling beer, but is almost exclusively sold in China.

One of the sources said the deal between CR Beer and Heineken would most likely include three breweries - in Guangdong, Hainan and Zhejiang provinces - Heineken’s distribution operation and its brands in China.

The two brewers have discussed a shareswap as part of the transaction, the source said.

Details have not been finalised and talks could yet fall apart, the sources said. They declined to be identified as the information is not public.

CR Beer did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Heineken declined to comment.

The Samsung S9 has a great camera - just like other phones

NEW YORK — Samsung says its new Galaxy S9 phone features a “reimagined” camera, and it is indeed pretty darned good. But you might not want to shell out $720 or more for one just yet unless your current phone is already close to death.

That’s because other high-end phone cameras — nowadays, one of the major differentiators between phones — are also pretty darned good. If and nearly $800 through other your phone is recent, it probably major U.S. carriers. Here’s a look already has a decent camera. at what the S9 offers.

Technology has improved to the point that it’s really hard to tell SEE THE LIGHT the difference between them.

In many of our test In a first for a major shots, the S9 outperformed smartphone, the S9 camera has the best of its rivals — Apple’s an adjustable aperture, or lens iPhone X, Google’s Pixel 2 XL opening, to let in more or less and Samsung’s own Galaxy Note light. Low-light shots are also 8. But usually there was little improved with software tricks obvious difference beyond color that automatically take 12 shots variation, which comes down in quick succession and blend the to personal preference. In a few best of each. cases, the S9 performed worse I found better detail in than all three. many S9 shots compared with

Tech News Email Alerts images from rival phones. The Breaking news about technology evening sky tends to be darker, and tech companies.

S i g n with less distortion. A statue of up The phone comes out March Abraham Lincoln doesn’t look as 16 with a starting price of $720 grainy. Many S9 shots also have through Samsung and T-Mobile better contrast between dark

and light areas.

But these differences are typically so subtle that you need to magnify images for closer inspection. What’s more likely to affect picture quality is the steadiness of your hands.

FREEZING MOTION

The most distinctive feature in Samsung’s new camera is super-slow-mo video.

People appear frozen as they jump. Waterfalls seem at peace as drops trickle down. The feature offers a fresh perspective on that time-honored prank of having fake snakes pop out of a can — not so scary when the snakes float in thin air.

It’s a gimmick, but loads of fun.

The camera can process only a fifth of a second of video at a time — stretched into six seconds when viewing — so auto detection is key to capturing the right moment. It’s fun to see people jump up at this speed, but less so when the super-slow-mo part doesn’t kick in until they’re almost back on the ground.

There’s a lot of trial and error involved.

BlackBerry sues Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram over patent infringement

BlackBerry Ltd on Tuesday filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Facebook Inc and its WhatsApp and Instagram apps, arguing that they copied technology and features from BlackBerry Messenger.

Litigation over patent infringement is part of BlackBerry Chief Executive John Chen’s strategy for making money for the company, which has lost market share in the smartphone market it once dominated.

“Defendants created mobile messaging applications that co-opt BlackBerry’s innovations, using a number of the innovative security, user interface, and functionality enhancing features,” Canadabased BlackBerry said in a filing with a Los Angeles federal court.

“Protecting shareholder assets and intellectual property is the job of every CEO,” BlackBerry spokeswoman Sarah McKinney said in an email. However, she noted that litigation was “not central to BlackBerry’s strategy.”

The lawsuit followed years of negotiation and BlackBerry has an obligation to shareholders to pursue appropriate legal remedies, she added.

BlackBerryfiled patent, arguing that they copied technology and features from BlackBerry Messenger.

Facebook Deputy General Counsel Paul Grewal said in a statement that the company intended to fight the lawsuit.

“Blackberry’s suit sadly reflects the current state of its messaging business,” Grewal said. “Having abandoned its efforts to innovate, Blackberry is now looking to tax the innovation of others.”

BlackBerry is trying to persuade other companies to pay licensing royalties to use its trove of more than 40,000 global patents on technology including operating systems, networking infrastructure, acoustics, messaging, automotive subsystems, cybersecurity and wireless communications.

BlackBerry is also selling cybersecurity software for self driving cars.

BlackBerry sued Nokia Corp in February 2017, alleging infringement of patents relating to 3G and 4G wireless communications technology.

That case is still pending in federal court in Delaware.

Last year Qualcomm Inc agreed to pay BlackBerry $940 million to resolve arbitration over royalty payments.

In October 2017 BlackBerry announced a confidential settlement with Blu Products Inc, a Florida-based maker of low-cost mobile devices it had also sued for patent infringement.

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BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY WORLD NEWS

Fast 5G beckons, but still far off for most mobile users

BARCELONA - The telecoms world is gearing up for 5G, the next generation wireless technology that promises to go beyond phones and link up everything from vehicles to household devices, or anything else with an internet connection at far greater speeds.

Yet most consumers will wait years to experience the benefits. While the first commercial 5G projects will launch in the United States in 2018, many users in emerging markets are still awaiting 4G and are likely to have to grapple with ropey 3G connections for years more.

Among industry insiders, the debate is about whether 5G will deliver on all the promises that its most excited proponents make and how much they can afford rolling out the new technology when profits are squeezed

by competition and regulation.

Unlike 2G, 3G and 4G wireless that focused on mobile phones, the promoters of 5G say it offers faster, more stable connections for cars, homes, factories and offices.

Norway’s Telenor is testing uses of 5G in driverless snowploughs, traffic systems and even autonomous boats for the nation’s fishing industry.

Yet it is unlikely to deploy 5G commercially before 2020 and Telenor’s boss remains cautious about what the technology will offer.

“5G is, so far, too much hype, in the sense of its position as a new revolutionary technology,” Telenor Chief Executive Sigve Brekke told Reuters at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where 5G overshadowed other topics.

“I look at 5G as much more an

Dubai tests autonomous pods in drive for smart city

February 28, 2018; a man walks past the world’s first autonomous pods in Dubai

Dubai has begun testing Awadhi, director of Automated autonomous pods in a trial run the Collection Systems at the RTA, said.

“These tests are aimed at Gulf’s trade and tourism hub hopes will help its transformation into one developing the performance of these of the smartest cities in the world. vehicles,” he added, without giving

Officials from Dubai’s Roads details on the cost of the project.

He said several projects and Transport Authority (RTA) displayed two cube-shaped vehicles were being developed, including built by U.S.-based Next Future self-driving buses and a marine Transportation company in Italy as transportation system.

The RTA says the they spun around on a main street in Dubai. autonomous pods would travel on pre Passersby stopped to try out programmed routes in the first few the six-seat vehicles and question the years, but would eventually become Italian engineers overseeing the test. accessible for pick up from home

RTA officials said they using a mobile telephone application. have allocated 1.5 million dirhams No date was provided for the start of ($410,000) for further research either service. RTA officials said they and development of the vehicles, hoped to have a more solid plan for which Dubai hopes to use for local the program by the end of 2018 or transportation under the city’s 2030 early 2019.

The vehicles are powered by Dubai Future Accelerators, which aims to make 25 percent of daily electricity and have a top speed of 80 transportation self-driven. kms (50 miles) per hour.

Dubai last year unveiled

“The goal is to develop these two research vehicles,” Khaled al- plans for a “flying taxi”.

cut operating costs after the hefty capital outlay and offering greater scope for delivering high bandwidth video and almost instantaneous links for autonomous cars or medical procedures.

5G promoters say it can deliver data 10 times or more faster than 4G and cut latency, the lag-time when data is sent or received. As well offering new applications, extra speed makes it easier to store data in the A 5G sign is seen during the Mobile World cloud instead of on a device.

Congress in Barcelona, Spain February 28, Yet 4G advances and new software 2018 could offer many of the benefits evolution on what we already have,” promised by 5G, Chuck Robbins, chief he said at the conference, attended executive of networks supplier Cisco, by executives from the world’s mobile said in Barcelona. network operators and technology Nordea Bank analysts told investors there “seems to be a bit too suppliers.

Telenor expects 5G to much optimism on which industry complement existing networks, helping issues 5G will solve.”

U.S. agency proposes nearly $1 billion to revamp Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands communications

The chairman of the U.S. telecoms regulator proposed on Tuesday directing $954 million to restore and expand communications networks in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that were heavily damaged during the 2017 hurricane season.

Wireless and broadband communications networks in the U.S. island territories were devastated after Hurricanes Maria and Irma swept through the region in September.

As of Monday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said 4.3 percent of cell sites in Puerto Rico and 14 percent of sites in the U.S. Virgin Islands remained out of service.

“The FCC’s work is far from over,” FCC chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement. “With the 2018 hurricane season less than three months away, we need to take bold and decisive action.”

Pai wants to spend $64 million on short-term restoration, $631 million on long-term funding for the restoration and expansion of fixed broadband and $259 million on medium-term funding for the restoration and expansion of 4G LTE mobile broadband connectivity.

The plan needs FCC approval and would be largely funded by the Universal Service Fund, which provides federal subsidies to companies to make communications services more accessible and affordable in places where the cost is high.

In October, the FCC approved $77 million to fund repairs in the islands.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, is visiting Puerto Rico this week and Pai will visit Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands later this week.

Delta gets boost from Air Berlin collapse in Germany

U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines is picking up business on routes from Germany to the United States following the collapse of Air Berlin, executives said on Wednesday.

“The capacity that was taken out by Air Berlin hasn’t been filled entirely,” Germany, Switzerland and Austria sales manager Thomas Brandt told Reuters at the ITB travel fair in Berlin.

Brandt said load factors, a measure of how full planes are, had been “fantastic” and that Delta had upped the amount of flying it does from Duesseldorf, an Air Berlin hub,

as a result.

For example, it kept a larger plane on the route from Duesseldorf to Atlanta than initially planned over the winter and a seasonal daily flight from Berlin to New York will start a few weeks early.

Delta is also ready to compete with low-cost, long-haul carriers, and feels its new basic economy fares allow it to fight on price, EMEA regional sales director Bob Hannah said.

“They’re here to stay, they’re not going away but we’re ready to take them on,” he said of the new rivals.

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•Passes hourly Pool and watersports amenities.

•Ensures that all work stations are clean at all the times.

•To work holidays and long hours with an able to accommodate a flexible schedule.

•Anticipate guest needs.

•Ensure all pool and beach furniture is neatly arranged and cleaned.

•Maintain island pod/beach bed reservations.

•Responsible for posting billing to guest accounts for applicable rentals.

•Respond professionally to all guest requests, comments and concerns in a timely manner and report issues to Director of Front Office.

•Monitor, coach and assign tasks to P&B Supervisors and attendants and offer support as required.

•Schedule staff according to hotel occupancy forecast and planned events.

•Complete weekly time sheets for payroll and submit on time biweekly.

•Build and maintain a strong and collaborative working relationship with food & beverage team to ensure guest satisfaction.

•Organize and assist with tent rentals, permits, as well as setup and break down to ensure all guests are served well with minimum impact to people and environment.

•Ensure team is stocked with necessary supplies to perform duties •Daily inspect all equipment including Rescue boat, chairs, snorkel gear, umbrellas, kayaks, Hobie cat, volleyball set, floats, towels and other items required to maintain for guest service.

•Oversee safe usage of all equipment and tools.

•Keep daily inventory and manager stock levels, ordering as required to ensure guest needs are met.

•Advise Chief Engineer of any upcoming events, maintenance requirements or damaged property.

•Maintain coordinate with Guest Services Managers and execute Rainy Day Plan as required.

•Support execution of Children’s Program Plan.

•Hold daily line up meetings, which includes inspection of uniforms and standard testing. Schedule and complete regular staff meetings to maintain good communication.

•Attend Operations Meetings whenever possible to stay informed.

•To be aware with the budget and financial targets, and responsible for all assets specifically but not limited to P&B. •To create and maintain a team which is highly adaptive and versatile.

•To work closely and communicate with all the other departments in the hotel as and when required.

•To be presentable to the best of your ability at all times whenever you represent the Gansevoort Hotel.

•To communicate and work closely with all departments.

•Ensure prompt and courteous service to guests, and to ensure that all guest experiences are distinctively supreme •Implement annual retraining program for all colleagues and document accordingly.

•Implement special project list and monitor and document completion accordingly.

•Monitor and evaluate team member performance.

•To contribute to the best of your ability to the overall profitability of the Gansevoort hotel.

•Establish and maintain effective human relations.

GANSEVOORT TURKS + CAICOS GRACE BAY BEACH, PROVIDENCIALES TURKS + CAICOS ISLANDS, B.W.I T 649 941 7555 F 309 210 9091 TOLL FREE 888 844 5986 INFO@GANSEVOORTTC.COM

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

•Participate in the preparation of the hotel’s Strategic Plan and Goals.

•To ensure all safety procedures are adhered to, and follow all appropriate policies and procedures while constantly striving to improve all standards of operation.

Salary range: 25K – 40K per annum *HVAC TECHNICIAN - Must be able to troubleshoot and repair different HVAC systems. Daikin system experience preferred. Troubleshoot and repair kitchen equipment. Troubleshoot and repair laundry equipment. Through proper data collection will create a preventive maintenance schedule for all electrical equipment, HVAC equipment and emergency generator.

Must be able to work on electrical systems, reading and understanding blueprints. Troubleshoot and repair home appliances. Qualification: Must be a collage graduate with minimum 10 years experience in the HVAC field and hospitality field. Must be HVAC certified. Must be able to work with hand and power tools. Work on ladders and lift a minimum of 50 lbs. Must be able to work independently and have troubleshooting skills. To provide the guests and associates with a secure and comfortable environment by maintaining and ensuring that all mechanical systems are operating in accordance with the Gansevoort standards. Work in a safe and responsible manner to avoid accidents or injury.

SPA THERAPIST •Must hold CIDESCO or CIBTAC certification. Previous knowledge of SPASOFT/SALONIRIS and MBO software is preferred.

•Must be a graduate from an accredited university with extensive experience of at least 5 years with a reputed hotel/ chain or a luxury/ Boutique Spa in massage, face therapy and nails.

•Must have advanced knowledge of holistic therapy such as Reiki, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, lymphatic drainage, reflexology, bamboo therapy concepts that relate to the well being of all guests in a spa environment.

•Must be certified esthetician and massage therapist.

•Must have: good communication skills, flexibility to work hospitality shifts, PC skills, be a Team Player, self-motivated, punctual, professional.

•Must speak and read English. Preferred with Asian/Gulf countries work experience.

•Fluency in MS office specially Microsoft excel, outlook.

•Ensure all clients are aware of their spa itinerary.

•Escort clients to changing rooms and explain in depth how to fill out their client record card.

•Duty of care to ensure the health and safety of themselves and other colleagues • Provides exceptional customer service to clients so that their experience is memorable. Focuses on driving productivity by leveraging strong front office management skills while maintaining strong working relationship with all team members and clients.

•Provide daily maintenance of the spa’s lobby or reception area.

Salary: Commission based *SPA DIRECTOR The Spa Director is responsible for the daily operations, management, and profitability of the spa, along with the highest level of customer service and quality work environment.

Requirements •Oversee the management of all positions: front desk, spa technicians and teachers.

•Coordinate new hire orientations.

•Manage, coordinate, and/or conduct associate meetings and workshops.

•Perform all Human Resources functions, according to corporate policies.

•Monitor daily sales activities to ensure that all transactions are completed accurately.

•Ensure the maintenance and cleanliness of spa facility. Control and maintain a high quality of music selection and HVAC. •Ensure spa treatment quality controls, including service, cleanliness, and product usage.

•Manage the preparation of purchase orders for professional treatment and operational supplies.

•Maintain proper inventory levels for all professional and retail products.

•Finalize payroll.

•Conduct annual performance reviews of supervisory and hourly associates, where applicable.

GANSEVOORTTC.COM GANSEVOORT HOTEL GROUP MEATPACKING NYC, SOUTH BEACH TURKS + CAICOS, PARK AVENUE NYC

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

•Partner with Controller to prepare monthly financial variance reports and participate in the development of the annual budget.

•Maintain expertise regarding all standard operating procedures and policies.

•Coordinate press visits, as requested by Corporate.

•Assist with special projects, events, and promotions as needed.

•Adhere to all corporate, departmental and spa operational policies and procedures.

•Respond to guest questions and associate concerns in a timely, professional manner.

•Maintain a high level of guest rapport and service.

•Adhere to company guidelines and core values.

•Maintain a working knowledge of all Exhale classes, services, and products.

•Attend an Exhale class a minimum of three times a week.

•Demonstrate positive attitude and actions through a display of courtesy, service, cooperation, hospitality, sensitivity and professionalism to internal guests.

•Manage department to achieve or exceed desired unit metric goals.

•Increase gross margins of the business through optimal scheduling, staffing pans, and capacity utilization.

•Improve guest service + satisfaction levels through heightened levels of communication and personal presence in the unit.

•Demonstrate equal commitment to exhale’s soulful culture + profitable enterprise.

•Manage department to achieve or exceed desired unit metric goals.

•Increase gross margins of the business through optimal scheduling, staffing pans, and capacity utilization.

•Improve guest service + satisfaction levels through heightened levels of communication and personal presence in the unit.

•Demonstrate equal commitment to exhale’s soulful culture + profitable enterprise.

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results; takes corrective action as necessary to help assure that financial goals are met.

•Attends food and beverage staff and management meetings.

•Consults with the Food & Beverage Director about food production aspects of special events being planned.

•Cooks or directly supervises the cooking of items that require skillful preparation.

•Ensures proper staffing for maximum productivity and high standards of quality; controls food and payroll costs to achieve maximum profitability.

•Evaluates food products to assure that quality standards are consistently attained.

•Interacts with food and beverage management to assure that food production consistently exceeds the expectations of guests.

•In conjunction with F&B management team, assist in maintaining a high level of service principles in accordance with established standards.

•Evaluates products to assure that quality, price and related goods are consistently met.

•Develops policies and procedures to enhance and measure quality; continually updates written policies and procedures to reflect state-ofthe-art techniques, equipment and terminology.

•Establishes and maintains a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for all kitchen areas and equipment.

•Provides training and professional development opportunities for all kitchen staff.

•Ensures that representatives from the kitchen attend service lineups and meetings.

•Periodically visits dining area when it is open to welcome members.

•Support safe work habits and a safe working environment at all times.

•Maintain records of stock and orders items as required. Ensure that adequate stocks of food are maintained (fresh, frozen and dried).

Skills

Education and/or Skills Required •Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology or equivalent work experience.

•Minimum of three (5) years experience in a Spa for Luxury Hotel.

•Certificate in Massage Therapy required •Current CPR certification. Must be trained in Lymph Drainage and Craniosacral Therapy.

•At least two (5) years professional teaching experience for beginning, intermediate and advanced yoga; also fitness training preferably in a high-end and/or hospitality environment.

•Must be enthusiastic, motivated, and a team player.

•Must possess computer proficiency with Windows-based products.

•Must have outstanding experience delivering high-quality customer service.

•Display good organizational, written, and verbal skills.

Salary range: 40K – 50K per annum *EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF Responsible for all aspects of managing the kitchen and kitchen personnel, ensuring the quality preparation of all menu items and proper handling/ storage of all food items in accordance with standards. Coordinates the purchase of all food and develops menus, maintaining approved food costs and labor costs Main Duties •Plans menus and develop recipes for all food outlets.

•Schedules and coordinates the work of chefs, cooks and other kitchen employees to assure that food preparation is economical and technically correct and within budgeted labor cost goals.

•Approves the requisition of products and other necessary food supplies.

•Ensures that high standards of sanitation, cleanliness and safety are maintained throughout all kitchen areas at all times.

•Establishes controls to minimize food and supply waste and theft.

•Safeguards all food preparation employees by implementing training to increase their knowledge about safety, sanitation and accident prevention principles.

•Develops standard recipes and techniques for food preparation and presentation which help to assure consistently high quality and to minimize food costs; exercises portion control for all items served and assists in establishing menu selling prices.

•Prepares necessary data for applicable parts of the budget; projects annual food, labor and other costs and monitors actual financial GANSEVOORT TURKS + CAICOS GRACE BAY BEACH, PROVIDENCIALES TURKS + CAICOS ISLANDS, B.W.I T 649 941 7555 F 309 210 9091 TOLL FREE 888 844 5986 INFO@GANSEVOORTTC.COM

•Must possess a bachelor’s degree or related culinary degree with (6) six or more years of industry and culinary management experience.

•Must have good communication skills; written or oral.

•Must be computer literate •The Chef must have the ability to manage in a diverse environment with focus on client and customer services are essential to success in this role.

•Previous experience with control food and labor cost, demonstration cooking, menu development, and pricing and development of culinary team preferred.

•Ability to maintain hotel’s standards, policies and procedures with all kitchen personnel.

•Ability to prioritize organizes and delegates work assignments.

•Ability to direct performance of kitchen staff and follow up with corrections where needed.

•Ability to motivate kitchen staffs and maintains a cohesive team.

•Ability to promote positive work relationships with service personnel and other departments.

•Ability to ascertain staff training needs and provide such training.

•Ability to be a clear thinker analyzes and resolves problems, exercising good judgment.

•Ability to perform job functions with attention to detail, speed and accuracy.

•Ability to work well under pressure of organizing and attaining production schedules and timelines.

•Ability to maintain good coordination.

•Ability to transport cases of received goods to the workstations; pots and pans of food from storage/prep areas to the serving line.

•Ability to work a 12-hour shift, 6 days per week in hot, noisy and sometimes close conditions.

•Ability to work with all products and food ingredients involved.

•Ability to use all senses to ensure quality standards is met.

•Ability to expand and condense recipes.

•Ability to perform job functions without direct supervision.

•Ability to ensure security of kitchen access, products and hotel property.

Salary range: 35K – 40K per annum Positions with * are currently being held by a work permit holder.

Interested applicants can contact our Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm on (649)941-7555. E- Mail cover letter outlining your interest and supporting experience in a particular position along with your Resume or C.V. to hr@wymara.com GANSEVOORTTC.COM GANSEVOORT HOTEL GROUP MEATPACKING NYC, SOUTH BEACH TURKS + CAICOS, PARK AVENUE NYC

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

WATERLOO HOTEL MANAGEMENT LTD

Alexandra Resort, Blue Haven Resort & Marina and the Beach House We are seeking to employ, suitably qualified and experienced hospitality professionals in the positions listed below. Our ideal candidates should have an outstanding command of the English language, written and oral, strong communication and excellent customer service skills with an all-inclusive background.

We are seeking to employ, suitably qualified and experienced hospitality professionals in the positions listed below. Our ideal candidates should have an outstanding command of the English language, written and oral, strong communication and excellent customer service skills with an all-inclusive background.

COST CONTROL MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES •Direct and coordinate the activities of the cost control department •Organize the cost controlling system •Organize the store and receiving system •Manage F&B cost function •Track record of all cost issues •Maintain standard of all responsible areas •Coordinate with all departments for inventory •Develop cost report for Chief Accountant •Support cost information for all concern departments upon request REQUIREMENTS •Five years’ experience in food and beverage accounting.

•Excellent processing experience with hotel software, Opera, Adaco and Dataplus Accounting System.

•Excellent knowledge in computer with experience with Microsoft software excels.

Salary range for this position will commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant.

NIGHT AUDITOR RESPONSIBILITIES •Ensuring that all charges and credits are posted accurately to guest accounts; that the telephone call accounting system reporting has been completed and system is functional •Balancing all credit card charges to cashiers reports and hard and soft copies are balanced with credit card folios •Organizing the night audit work in an orderly manner for distribution to the accounts department •Closing out of accounts and resetting the system for the next day’s operation •Conducts analytical review of all daily Front Office and Room transactions reports and to rectify and discrepancies.

•Acting as Manager on Duty and maintain an open line of communication between guests, team members and management.

•Performing Front Office duties, processing express checkouts and assisting guests as needed during the shift REQUIREMENTS •Must have 3 or more years previous experience as a Night Auditor in a resort or condominium environment •Proficient in Microsoft office and Visual one is a MUST •Clear communications skills (written and oral) •Must be able to work nights, weekends and holidays

•Minimum of 5 years’ experience in same or similar position •Diploma from a formal culinary institution is required •Knowledgeable in health and sanitation standards •Valid Food Handler Certificate required •Constant standing and walking throughout shift •Lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs.

•Pushing and pulling Salary range for this position will commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant.

CHEF DE PARTIE Reporting to the Executive Sous Chef, responsible for working with the executive sous chef and the kitchen team to maintain high standards in the quality of food both as to its preparation and its presentation.

REQUIREMENTS •Graduate culinary art or Culinary degree strongly preferred •5 plus years previous experience as a cook •Experience in a luxury hotel with comparable service and standards would be an asset •Valid Food Handler Certificate required •Must have experience and be proficient in both a la carte and production cooking Salary range for this position will commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant.

LINE POSITIONS The positions listed below, hospitality experience would be an asset but is not required and the starting rate will be $6.50per hour.

Salary range for this position will commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant.

ROOM ATTENDANT To ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the assigned guestroom, work areas and equipment. Must be able to push and pull carts weighing up to 150lbs and be able to climb flights of stairs several times daily.

BELLMAN To escort arriving and departing guests in a friendly and courteous manner to and from their accommodations, as well as provide general information about the hotel and local attractions and provide front desk with any additional assistance. Must be able to speak English, exceptional hospitality skills, Must be able to lift and carry heavy luggage and perform tasks requiring bending, knelling and walking significant distances.

LABOURER To assist in maintaining the buildings of the resort. Must be able to lift 50lbs, bend, stand for long periods of time and must be able to push and pull carts weighing up to 250lbs. Be able to lift 50lbs. Must be able to speak English and understand instructions. Must be in excellent health.

GARDENER To assist in, maintaining the grounds of the resort. Duties to include: removal of trash, weeding, mowing, planting, pruning, watering and application of chemicals. Must be of good character.

Be able to lift 50lbs., bend and stand for long periods of time.

Must be able to speak English and understand instructions.

COMMIS CHEF Reporting to the Executive Sous Chef, responsible for food preparation, cooking, daily monitoring of kitchen inventory.

Should exhibit strong communication, writing, reading, listening and computation skills.

REQUIREMENTS •Must possess a 3-4-star background

Interested persons may contact our HR department Mon. – Fri. from 9am-3pm via telephone number 946-8054 or you may submit your resume with qualifications and experience to: hr@wihl.com Closing date ---- March 24th , 2018

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

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WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

SPORTS

Kevin Love discusses panic attack, mental health issues

Cleveland Cavaliers forward comments last week about depression.

Kevin Love opened up about his I’ve played against DeMar for years, struggles with mental health and says but I never could’ve guessed that he he was hospitalized earlier this season was struggling with anything. It really makes you think about how we are after having a panic attack.

In an essay published on The all walking around with experiences Players’ Tribune, Love says during and struggles — all kinds of things a Nov. 5 game against the Atlanta — and we sometimes think we’re the Hawks, he experienced stomach pain only ones going through them. The reality is that we probably have a lot and shortness of breath.

“It came out of nowhere. I’d in common with what our friends and never had one before,” Love wrote. “I colleagues and neighbors are dealing didn’t even know if they were real. But with. So I’m not saying everyone it was real -- as real a broken hand or a should share all their deepest secrets sprained ankle. Since that day, almost — not everything should be public and everything about the way I think about it’s every person’s choice. But creating a better environment for talking about my mental health has changed.”

Love, who is averaging 17.9 points and mental health … that’s where we need 9.4 rebounds per game, has missed to get to,” Love wrote. the Cavaliers’ last 15 games after “Because just by sharing what breaking his hand in late January. He he shared, DeMar probably helped was expected to miss 6–8 weeks with some people — and maybe a lot more people than we know — feel like they the injury.

Love says that he has been aren’t crazy or weird to be struggling going to a therapist since the panic with depression. His comments helped attack. take some power away from that

“One of the reasons I wanted to stigma, and I think that’s where the write this comes from reading DeMar’s hope is.

Osaka too strong for Sharapova in California

Naomi Osaka in her first round match against Maria Sharapova at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Former world number one Tianjin Open in October for her Maria Sharapova lost her second first triumph since returning to the consecutive first round match with WTA Tour, but has not come close to a 6-4 6-4 defeat to Japan’s Naomi challenging for a tournament victory Osaka at the BNP Paribas Open in since.

California on Wednesday.

Switzerland’s Belinda

Sharapova, who returned Bencic, who was also a teenage to tennis last April following a prodigy but has had her career 15-month doping ban, continued to blighted by injury, also advanced by struggle to find form this season as overcoming an awful start and seeing she dug herself into an early hole off a match point to beat Hungarian Timea Babos 1-6 6-1 7-6(4). and never fully recovered.

Now ranked 41st in the world, Former world number five Sharapova fought back from early Bouchard was outclassed by 100thbreaks in both sets but ultimately ranked Vickery in her first match came up short on the key points in since reaching a settlement with the a performance that saw her commit U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) over six double faults and lose five service a locker room fall during the 2015 games to her 20-year-old opponent. U.S. Open.

“I knew (Sharapova) would fight for All eyes will be on Serena everything because I’ve watched her Williams on Thursday when the since I was little,” world number 44 American plays in her first singles Osaka said in a courtside interview event since giving birth last after winning the first meeting September, the two-time champion between the pair. “I was just really starting her campaign against Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan in a first honored to play her.”

A two-time champion at round encounter.

Indian Wells, Sharapova won the

I want to make it clear that I don’t have things figured out about all of this. I’m just starting to do the hard work of getting to know myself. For 29 years, I avoided that. Now, I’m trying to be truthful with myself. I’m trying to be good to the people in my life. I’m trying to face the uncomfortable stuff in life while also enjoying, and being grateful for, the good stuff. I’m trying to embrace it all, the good, bad and ugly.”

He added: “I want to end with something I’m trying to remind myself about these days: Everyone is going through something that we can’t see. I want to write that again: Everyone is going through something that we can’t see. The thing is, because we can’t see it, we don’t know who’s going through what and we don’t know when and we don’t always know why. Mental health is an invisible thing, but it touches all of us at some point or another. It’s part of life. Like DeMar said, “You never know what that person is going through.”

“Mental health isn’t just an

Kevin Love athlete thing. What you do for a living doesn’t have to define who you are.

This is an everyone thing. No matter what our circumstances, we’re all carrying around things that hurt — and they can hurt us if we keep them buried inside. Not talking about our inner lives robs us of really getting to know ourselves and robs us of the chance to reach out to others in need.

So if you’re reading this and you’re having a hard time, no matter how big or small it seems to you, I want to remind you that you’re not weird or different for sharing what you’re going through.

Former ESPN host sues network for ‘misogynistic’ culture

Whistleblower, Adrienne Lawerence on Sports Centre

Former ESPN presenter allegations and found them “entirely Adrienne Lawrence has sued the without merit.” sports network, saying it has a Lawrence was hired into a misogynistic and predatory culture two-year development program and and her contract was not renewed her contract was not renewed when it after she complained about sexual ended, the network said. harassment by a male anchor.

“The company will vigorously

Lawrence’s complaints defend its position and we are follow a string of sexual harassment confident we will prevail in court,” it and misconduct scandals involving said in the statement. powerful men in Hollywood, the U.S. Lawrence joined ESPN in media and Washington.

August 2015 and became the object of

In a filing in U.S. district unwelcome advances from longtime court in Connecticut, Lawrence anchor John Buccigross, the lawsuit accused male ESPN employees said. of keeping scorecards on female Buccigross sent her colleagues, openly watching porn on inappropriate text messages with their computers and making sexually half-naked photos of himself, explicit comments about women in commenting on her “#longlegs” and front of women. calling her “pretty face” and “dollface,”

“ESPN is, and always has the complaint said. been, a company rife with misogyny,” When Lawrence reported Lawrence said in the lawsuit filed on Buccigross’ behavior to ESPN human Sunday. resources they said Buccigross was

Lawrence is seeking damages a harmless “good guy,” his attention to compensate for monetary harm, was “mentorship” and she should “get including lost wages and employment used to it,” the lawsuit added. opportunities, as well as emotional ESPN did not immediately distress, the complaint said. respond to a request for comment

ESPN, Walt Disney Co’s most from Buccigross. Buccigross did not important cable network, said in a immediately respond to a mobile statement it conducted a thorough telephone message from Reuters to investigation into Lawrence’s seek comment.

MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

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WORLD SPORTS

Serena’s comeback her greatest Webb sentencing hit by seventh challenge, says coach delay

Serena Williams’ return to the WTA Tour following the birth of her first child will be the “greatest challenge” of her career, but the American can get back to her best in time for the French Open, according to her coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

Williams, who won her 23rd grand slam title at last year’s Australian Open before going on maternity leave, pulled out of this year’s tournament in Melbourne.

She represented the United States in a Fed Cup doubles match last month and is scheduled to take part in the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells this week.

Asked if her latest comeback represented the biggest test of her career, Mouratoglou said: “It probably is... now she is 36, just had a child, a second blood clot, has gone more than a

year without any competition. I think we can say without a doubt that this is her biggest challenge.”

Former world number one Williams, who returned in 2012 from surgery for a lifethreatening blood clot on her lung and climbed back to the top of the rankings, said she almost died after giving birth to her daughter in September.

Mouratoglou said fans had to give Williams time to adjust to the rigors of the sport.

“I think she’ll be ready for Roland Garros. The competitions she will play until then will help her and every day she progresses on her fitness,” he told the Women’s Tennis Association website.

“Serena’s target will be to win grand slams. She knows that coming back might take some

Serena Williams time, but her level of expectation is high as always. There are three grand slams left this season. They will be her three main goals for 2018.”

Attackers attempt to saw off South African athlete’s legs Chainsaw-wielding assailants attempted to hack South African triathlete Mhlengi Gwala’s legs off, police said on Wednesday, describing the unprovoked attack as a case of attempted murder.

Gwala, 26, is recovering in hospital following the attack in Durban in the early hours of Tuesday, and his injuries are not life threatening. Robbery appears to have been ruled out as a motive.

“The complainant alleged that on March 6, 2018 Mhlengi Gwala, pictured above, was taken to a South African hospital after at about 03:20 in the morning he was attacked by three chainsaw-wielding criminals whilst cycling in Rick Turner 25-29 male category, coming in bushes.

Road, Umbilo, he was dragged by 45th position.

“They took the chainsaw, three unknown men into a bush,” Sandile Shange, a which they were not using said police spokeswomen Captain training partner of the triathlete, electrically, but manually. They Nqobile Gwala, no relation to the told South Africa’s Eye Witness were cutting one foot, he was athlete.

News that Gwala was shaken fighting and screaming, and

“One was armed with a and battling to make sense of the when they got to the bone they firearm and they attempted to incident. got stuck. They tried the other cut off his legs with a chainsaw.

“The doctors say they leg.

The suspects fled the scene when will save his leg, but it will be a “A security van then they noticed someone was coming long road to recovery. He will be came driving down. They (the and the victim was assisted by able to walk and run again but attackers) saw that and ran off, security guards in the vicinity.” it will take some time,” Shange leaving him on the side of the

“A case of attempted said. road.” murder was opened at Umbilo “He thought they wanted Shange added that police station for investigation.” to rob him of his phone, his watch Gwala was at a loss as to the

Gwala competed at or the bicycle, so he offered it all motive of his attackers. “We are the 2017 International World to them but they did not want a little bit confused, we don’t Triathlon Grand Final in that. They instead dragged him know who is behind everything.”

Rotterdam in September in the to the side of the road into nearby

Former CONCACAF president, Jeff Web

NEW YORK — A US Federal Court judge has granted a seventh request for a delay in the sentencing of disgraced former CONCACAF president Jeff Webb.

The former Cayman Islands resident was scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday for his role in the FIFA corruption scandal but once again had the date put back, this time until September 7.

Webb had also been expected to be sentenced last January but the date was rescheduled following another request.

It has now been more than two years since Webb pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, three counts of wire fraud conspiracy and three counts of money laundering conspiracy, following his arrest in May 2015 during a pre-dawn raid on a hotel in Zurich.

The 54-year-old, along with several other football officials, had been named in a 47-count indictment announced by the US Department of Justice, with Trinidadian Jack Warner — a former CONCACAF chief and long-serving FIFA vice-president — also included.

A former powerful FIFA vice-president and former head of the Cayman Islands Football Association, Webb agreed to forfeit more than US$6.7 million in cash and assets as part of an agreement with the courts.

Media reports said he recently sold his near million-dollar Georgia mansion, with proceeds expected to have been turned over to the court as part of the agreement.

NBA star Kobe Bryant wins Oscar for animated short

Retired basketball star Kobe “To be here right now and to Bryant has won five NBA titles, but have like ... a sense of validation is ... this taking home an Oscar on his first attempt is crazy, man,” Bryant added. “It’s crazy.” was a bigger thrill than the victories “Dear Basketball” is based on the earned with the Los Angeles Lakers, the National Basketball Association great’s 39-year-old future Hall of Famer said on 2015 poem, published on the Player’s Sunday.

Tribune website, announcing his final

“I feel better than winning NBA season. Bryant narrated the fivethe championship, to be honest with minute film, which was directed by Glen you. I swear I do,” Bryant told news Keane and scored by Oscar winner John media backstage after accepting the Williams.

Academy Award for “Dear Basketball,” The film shows top moments the animated short film he wrote and from Bryant’s career animated in handproduced. drawn images while he recites the letter

about his devotion to the sport from a young age and a body that will no longer allow him to compete at the highest level.

Bryant, who played 20 seasons, has started his own production company in retirement, Kobe Studios. He told news media he sought out Oprah Winfrey and TV producer Shonda Rhimes for guidance when he launched the studio.

Bryant shared his advice for athletes navigating retirement, which can often be daunting, as many are often Kobe Bryant after winning the young and have to fill their time after Best Short Film (Animated) Award for “Dear Basketball” decades of training and competition.

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MARCH 10TH, 2018 – MARCH 17TH, 2018

PRIVATE VILLAS FROM $745,000

SAILROCKLIVING.COM | 1-649-941-2121 @SAILROCKLIVING | #DISCOVERSAILROCK Published by SUN MEDIA GROUP, Turks and Caicos Islands | Tel:649 339 5879 | Fax: 649 941 3281